Medaka Encyclopedia — 87 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular medaka varieties with traits, care guides, and pricing.
Featured Medaka
Showing 5 of 87 species
Black Lame Medaka
A mystical medaka with glittering lame on a black body, like stars in the night sky.
Ikazuchi Medaka
Oryzias latipes var.
Striking variety with jet-black body and yellow lame. Named for yellow flashes of lightning on black body. High ornamental value due to vivid contrast.
Karasu Medaka
Medaka variety with jet-black body. Darker than Black Diamond lineage, with fins also deeply black being most valued. Appreciated for understated beauty.
Kuro Lame Miyuki Medaka
Oryzias latipes var.
Black body with Miyuki external light and blue lame. Jet-black body with glittering blue lame creates a mystical night-sky appearance.
Maou Medaka
Oryzias latipes var.
Representative black-body improved medaka. Known for deep black body color with overwhelming presence from its jet-black Orochi lineage. Relatively easy to keep even for beginners.
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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.