Hanipon (Black Panda) Medaka

Hanipon (Black Panda) 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 dark stripe on the head is clearest from above, so viewing and selection are best done looking down into the container. The Medaka Web Encyclopedia recommends outdoor keeping and suggests shading half the container in summer.

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

The head stripe also appears on other fish, so select on the strength of the marking. The yellow-finned black sub-category shows yellow pigment in the fins, and that colour is a further point of identification.

About Hanipon (Black Panda) Medaka

Hanipon (Black Panda) Medaka features a black body, yellow-tinted fins, and a bold head streak. Created in 2013, it was the Japan Medaka Association's first certified new variety, growing to about 4cm.

7 things to know before welcoming a Hanipon (Black Panda) Medaka

1. 1Head Marking Varies by Fish

   The defining trait of Hanipon is the bold black streak across the head. Its intensity and shape differ from fish to fish and often becomes clearer as the medaka matures. Many keepers enjoy comparing the pattern across multiple individuals.

2. 2Coloring Responds to Light

   Like other black-bodied medaka, Hanipon's coloring tends to deepen with more light exposure. Keeping them outdoors or under bright conditions often brings out richer black tones and a clearer panda pattern. Indoor keepers should pay attention to lighting duration.

3. 3Best for Intermediate Keepers

   Hanipon is generally considered an intermediate-level medaka variety. Beyond basic medaka care, keeping the coloring sharp calls for attentive water quality management. First-time keepers may want to build experience with a hardier variety before taking one on.

4. 4Consider Separate Housing

   If you want to preserve the panda pattern and color contrast, keeping Hanipon separate from other varieties helps prevent unintended crossbreeding. Mixing varieties can make the markings of offspring less consistent.

5. 5Compact Adult Size

   Adults grow to a standard body length of up to about 4cm, a typical size range for medaka. Standard tanks or outdoor containers work fine, but overcrowding should be avoided since it can affect water quality and pattern development.

6. 6Pattern Isn't Guaranteed to Pass On

   Because the panda pattern and coloring involve genetic factors, offspring won't necessarily match their parents' exact markings. Breeders often enjoy selectively pairing fish over generations to work toward their ideal pattern.

7. 7Prepare the Tank First

   Before bringing Hanipon home, have an acclimation container and appropriately sized housing ready. Sudden changes in temperature or water chemistry stress medaka, so it's best to set up the environment fully before introducing new fish.

Frequently asked questions about Hanipon (Black Panda) Medaka

Q.What kind of medaka variety is Hanipon (Black Panda)?

A.It's an ornamental medaka variety with a near-black body contrasted by yellow-tinted fins. Its name comes from the bold black streak across the head, which resembles a panda's face. It was created in 2013 by breeder Akinori Shimizu and became the first new variety certified by the Japan Medaka Association.

Q.Is this variety suitable for beginners?

A.Hanipon is generally rated as an intermediate-level variety. Prior experience with basic medaka care helps in maintaining its coloring and pattern.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.Adults reach a standard body length of up to about 4cm. It's not a variety known for growing unusually large.

Q.Is this variety subject to any special regulations?

A.No. Hanipon (Black Panda) Medaka is not subject to CITES.

Q.Do all individuals have the same pattern and coloring?

A.No, the panda pattern and depth of coloring vary between individual fish. Since genetics play a role, offspring from breeding won't necessarily match their parents' exact markings.

Useful tools for Hanipon (Black Panda) Medaka care

Learn more about Hanipon (Black Panda) Medaka in the encyclopedia

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