Hakuhime Medaka

Hakuhime Medaka key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Lifespan

2-3 years

Size

Up to about 4cm SL

Temperature

18〜28℃

Diet

Prepared medaka food, green water

Lighting

The contrast between the white head and the dark body is the point of interest, and it reads best when the fish are viewed from above. The Medaka Web Encyclopedia recommends outdoor keeping, noting that summer sun raises water temperature sharply and suggesting shade such as a reed screen over half the container.

Diet & Nutrition

Commercial prepared medaka food is the staple, given in an amount finished within a few minutes. Leftovers decay and foul the water, so adjust the quantity. Green water rich in phytoplankton suits fry rearing.

Water Temperature & Quality

Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline water is considered ideal, and the water drifts toward acidic as keeping continues. Around one water change per week is the guideline, and because sudden shifts in temperature or pH cause stress, acclimatise new fish by floating the bag. FishBase records the wild water chemistry of this species as pH 7.0-8.0 and hardness 9-19 dH.

Tank Mates & Compatibility

A peaceful schooling fish, normally kept as a group of the same variety. One litre of water per fish is the guideline against overcrowding; overstocking causes poor growth, reduced breeding, oxygen shortage and water fouling.

Breeding

Outdoors the spawning season runs from about April to October, once water reaches 18C or above with 12-13 hours of daylight. For year-round indoor breeding, 25-28C water and over 13 hours of lighting are the guideline. Eggs hatch at a cumulative 250 degree-days, about 10 days at 25C.

Health & Notes

Selection must confirm the transparent-scale trait as well as colour. Semi-transparent (aurora) siblings occur, and they never give a clean split of white and black. Breed toward a whiter head and a blacker body.

About Hakuhime Medaka

Hakuhime is an improved medaka variety with a striking white head and black body, featuring translucent scales and a black rim pattern. Created in 2019 by Kazuaki Senoo from Koazami stock, it suits intermediate keepers and grows to about 4 cm.

7 things to know before welcoming a Hakuhime Medaka

1. 1Striking Two-Tone Coloring

   Hakuhime's defining trait is the striking contrast between its white head and black body. Combined with translucent scales and a black rim pattern, its coloring shifts subtly with the light, giving it a layered, dimensional look.

2. 2Suited to Intermediate Keepers

   Hakuhime is considered suitable for intermediate keepers. Maintaining its distinctive coloring calls for attentive water quality monitoring and regular observation, so some prior fishkeeping experience is reassuring.

3. 3Bred by Kazuaki Senoo

   Hakuhime was created in 2019 by Kazuaki Senoo, who fixed a white individual that appeared among Koazami medaka. As a relatively recent addition to improved medaka varieties, it is valued for the completeness of its coloring.

4. 4Adult Size

   Adults reach a standard length of up to about 4 cm. Since growth is gradual rather than rapid, you can watch its coloring develop at each life stage.

5. 5Compatibility with Tankmates

   Hakuhime has a calm temperament and generally gets along well with other medaka varieties in a shared tank. That said, keeping it alone or with similar varieties is also an option if you want its coloring to stand out clearly.

6. 6Water Quality Matters

   Like many improved medaka varieties, Hakuhime can be sensitive to sudden changes in water temperature or quality. Perform small, frequent water changes and watch closely during seasonal transitions.

7. 7Before You Bring One Home

   Before bringing one home, it helps to prepare your tank, filtration, and a proper acclimation method in advance. Watch feeding amounts and water conditions closely until your medaka settles into its new environment.

Frequently asked questions about Hakuhime Medaka

Q.Can beginners keep Hakuhime medaka?

A.Hakuhime is generally considered suitable for intermediate keepers. Having some basic medaka-keeping experience makes it easier to maintain its coloring while keeping it healthy.

Q.How big does Hakuhime medaka grow?

A.Adults reach a standard length of up to about 4 cm. This is comparable to many other medaka varieties, without major size differences.

Q.Can Hakuhime be kept with other medaka?

A.Its calm temperament generally makes mixed-variety tanks workable. If you want its coloring to stand out more, keeping it with similar varieties is another option.

Q.What is the origin of the Hakuhime name and variety?

A.Hakuhime was created in 2019 by Kazuaki Senoo, who fixed a white individual that emerged from Koazami medaka. Its name reflects the striking contrast between its white head and black body.

Q.Does coloring vary between individual Hakuhime?

A.As with many improved medaka varieties, each Hakuhime shows some individuality in how the white and black areas meet and how the translucent scales appear. Watching the coloring evolve with growth is part of the enjoyment.

Useful tools for Hakuhime Medaka care

Learn more about Hakuhime Medaka in the encyclopedia

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