Pink Medaka

Pink Medaka key facts

Care level

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

2-3 years

Size

Up to about 4cm SL

Temperature

18〜28℃

Diet

Prepared medaka food, green water

Lighting

The soft body colour reads deeper when viewed from above in a dark container and washes out in a pale one. Outdoors, guard against summer overheating from direct sun.

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

Body colour alone is easily confused with white, so use fin colour to identify the variety. Outdoors the fish become inactive and overwinter near the bottom as water cools, resuming activity in spring once daytime water exceeds 10C. A 0.3-0.5% salt bath is used for ailing fish, with water raised to no more than about 28C.

About Pink Medaka

Pink Medaka is an improved variety with a soft pink hue from red-orange and white pigmentation. Beginner-friendly, growing up to about 4 cm.

7 things to know before welcoming a Pink Medaka

1. 1Telling It Apart from White Medaka

   Because its body color alone closely resembles white medaka, Pink Medaka can be tricky to identify at a glance. The key is checking the fin coloration, so make it a habit to look closely at the fins to avoid confusing it with other varieties.

2. 2Approachable for Beginners

   Pink Medaka is rated as beginner-friendly, making it a reasonable choice even for those keeping medaka for the first time. Consistent basic care — regular water changes and monitoring water quality — is the foundation of keeping them healthy.

3. 3Adult Size to Expect

   Adults grow up to about 4 cm in standard length. When choosing a tank or container, allow enough space with this maximum size in mind.

4. 4Setting Up a Backdrop for Its Pale Color

   Since the appeal of Pink Medaka lies in its delicate coloring, the substrate and background color of the tank can change how vivid it appears. Choosing a calm-toned substrate tends to make the pale hue stand out more clearly.

5. 5A Note on Keeping It with Other Fish

   Medaka are generally peaceful and suit being kept with other medaka varieties, but pairing them with much larger fish risks predation. Choose tankmates that are similarly sized and equally calm-tempered.

6. 6Suitable for Both Indoor and Outdoor Keeping

   Medaka are hardy enough to be kept in an indoor aquarium or outdoors in a water garden or lotus pot. If keeping them outdoors, adjust your care routine to match seasonal changes in water temperature and sunlight.

7. 7What to Prepare Before Bringing One Home

   Before bringing one home, it helps to prepare basic equipment — a tank or container, a filter, and a water conditioner — and let the water stabilize in advance. Don't forget to acclimate the fish gradually to its new environment before releasing it.

Frequently asked questions about Pink Medaka

Q.What is the difference between Pink Medaka and white medaka?

A.Pink Medaka is a variety whose soft pink color comes from a red-orange base combined with well-developed white pigment cells. The body color alone can resemble white medaka, but checking the fin coloration allows you to tell them apart.

Q.Can beginners keep Pink Medaka?

A.Yes, it is rated as beginner-friendly. With consistent basic care such as regular water changes and water quality monitoring, it's an approachable variety even for first-time keepers.

Q.How large does Pink Medaka grow?

A.Adults grow up to about 4 cm in standard length. When setting up a tank or container, be sure to allow enough space for this maximum size.

Q.Can Pink Medaka be kept in an outdoor water garden?

A.Yes, medaka are hardy enough to be kept either in an indoor aquarium or outdoors in a water garden or lotus pot. Outdoor keeping requires adjusting care to seasonal water temperature changes.

Q.Is Pink Medaka subject to any regulations?

A.Pink Medaka is not subject to CITES.

Useful tools for Pink Medaka care

Learn more about Pink Medaka in the encyclopedia

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