How much do medaka cost?

Common varieties cost 100-500 yen each, popular Youkihi and lame types 500-3,000 yen, and rare new varieties can reach 5,000-30,000+ yen per pair.

Can beginners keep medaka?

Medaka are adapted to Japanese climate and can even be kept in outdoor biotopes. They're hardy, tolerant of temperature changes, and one of the easiest ornamental fish for beginners.

How long do medaka live?

In the wild they live 1-2 years, but in captivity they can live 2-4 years. Proper water management and feeding help them thrive longer.

What should I check when buying medaka?

Check that they're swimming actively, not too thin, and free of injuries or disease signs. Choose specimens that clearly display their variety's characteristics.

Is medaka breeding easy?

Medaka breed relatively easily, spawning from spring to autumn when water temperature is above 20°C with 12+ hours of daylight. Moving eggs to a separate container improves hatch rates.

Medaka Encyclopedia — 87 Species Directory

Encyclopedia of popular medaka varieties with traits, care guides, and pricing.

Featured Medaka

Matsui Hirenaga Medaka

All Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Modified medaka External light Hikari body Long fin Black Transparent scale Lame Gorgeous Classic Outdoor OK Albino Mystical Blue Lame scales Orange-red

Showing 11 of 87 species

Five Color Medaka

Advanced

A gorgeous medaka with five colors: red, white, black, blue, yellow. Multicolor like koi in water bowls.

Five ColorKoi-likeMulticolor

Galaxy Medaka

Advanced

A fantastical medaka reminiscent of a night sky galaxy. Beautiful combination of glitter and multiple colors.

GalaxyMulti-color glitterFantastical

Houou Medaka

Oryzias latipes var.

Advanced

Gorgeous variety combining red, white, and black tricolor with elongated fins. Beautiful combination of phoenix-like graceful long fins and complex body coloration. Advanced collector's variety.

Modified medakaTricolorLong fin

Kaguya Medaka

Advanced

A beautiful medaka shining like Princess Kaguya from the tale. Hikari body with multicolor lame, a gorgeous variety.

KaguyaMulticolor lameGorgeous

Kirameki Medaka

Oryzias latipes var.

Advanced

Premium modified medaka with multicolor lame scattered all over the body. Dazzling rainbow shimmer changes with light angle. Difficult to fix — for advanced keepers.

Modified medakaMulticolor lamePremium

Midnight Frill Medaka

Oryzias latipes

Advanced

A jet-black medaka that never fades to its background, with lavish, frill-like rippling fins; the contrast of pitch-black body and undulating long fins is its centerpiece.

AdvancedLong finBlack body

Ouhi Medaka

Oryzias latipes

Advanced

An albino-based medaka combining body luster, fin luster and scale luster; prized for colors from white to pale pink and red-and-white, with a sheen reaching the fin tips.

AdvancedAlbinoFin luster

Ranchu Medaka

Advanced

Named for resemblance to Ranchu goldfish — no dorsal fin and round body. A Daruma subtype with uniquely charming form. Poor swimmer, so careful tank mate selection.

Modified medakaDaruma typeNo dorsal fin

Tricolor Medaka

Advanced

A medaka with red, white, and black tri-color pattern like Nishikigoi. Each individual has unique patterns.

TricolorKoi patternOne of a kind

Tsukiyumi Medaka

Oryzias latipes var.

Advanced

Characteristic improved medaka with arc-shaped (bow-shaped) external body light on the back. Beautiful arc of light reminiscent of a crescent moon runs along the back. High ornamental value, advanced-level variety.

Modified medakaExternal lightArc-shaped

Zuihou Medaka

Advanced

Orange-red body with glitter and elongated swallow-type fins. Graceful swimming reminiscent of a phoenix. Extremely high ornamental value.

Modified medakaSwallow-typeGlitter (lame)

Browse Medaka Listings

Medaka FAQ

How much do medaka cost?: Common varieties cost 100-500 yen each, popular Youkihi and lame types 500-3,000 yen, and rare new varieties can reach 5,000-30,000+ yen per pair.
Can beginners keep medaka?: Medaka are adapted to Japanese climate and can even be kept in outdoor biotopes. They're hardy, tolerant of temperature changes, and one of the easiest ornamental fish for beginners.
How long do medaka live?: In the wild they live 1-2 years, but in captivity they can live 2-4 years. Proper water management and feeding help them thrive longer.
What should I check when buying medaka?: Check that they're swimming actively, not too thin, and free of injuries or disease signs. Choose specimens that clearly display their variety's characteristics.
Is medaka breeding easy?: Medaka breed relatively easily, spawning from spring to autumn when water temperature is above 20°C with 12+ hours of daylight. Moving eggs to a separate container improves hatch rates.