Medaka Encyclopedia — 87 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular medaka varieties with traits, care guides, and pricing.
Featured Medaka
Showing 4 of 87 species
Himedaka
The oldest improved medaka variety, kept since the Edo period. Friendly orange-yellow color and extreme hardiness. Perfect for biotope beginners.
Modified medakaClassicBeginner-friendly
Ougon Medaka
Oryzias latipes var.
Classic improved medaka with beautiful golden-shining body color. Body sparkles in sunlight, beautiful in tanks and outdoor containers. Easy to keep and suitable for beginners.
Modified medakaGoldenSparkle
White Medaka
A medaka with pure white body giving a clean impression. One of the most widely distributed basic varieties.
White MedakaClassicEasy to find
Youkihi Medaka
Beautiful deep orange-red medaka, popular since the beginning of the medaka boom. Hardy and easy to breed.
Beginner-friendlyClassicOutdoor OK
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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.