Red Cliff Medaka

Red Cliff Medaka key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

2-3 years

Size

Up to about 4cm SL

Temperature

18〜28℃

Diet

Prepared medaka food, green water

Lighting

Both the layered fins and the external luminescence are worth seeing, so the variety rewards side and top viewing alike. 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

Elongated fins are easily damaged by obstructions or crowding, so keep the container uncluttered and the stocking light. 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

Long-fin expression varies between individuals, and the dark type tends toward it more readily than the red-and-white type. 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

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 Red Cliff Medaka

Red Cliff is an ornamental medaka with a black-amber body, iridescent glow, and layered long fins. An advanced-keeper variety with a red-and-white offshoot — explore its traits and care points.

7 things to know before welcoming a Red Cliff Medaka

1. 1Fins Prone to Damage

   Because Red Cliff combines longfin, wide-fin, and frilled-fin traits, its fins can catch on tank decor or be damaged by strong currents. Keep the tank layout simple and set filter flow on the gentler side to help protect the fins.

2. 2Choosing Tankmates

   The long, flowing fins can attract nipping from more boisterous tankmates, so if you do mix species, choose calm fish of similar size. Keeping Red Cliff alone or only with others of its own kind makes it easier to preserve its fin beauty.

3. 3The Shine of Body Glow

   The iridescent body glow layered over the black-amber base produces a shine that shifts expression depending on the angle of light. The variety can be appreciated both from above and from the side of the tank.

4. 4Difference from the Kohaku Type

   Red Cliff Kohaku, a red-and-white offshoot of the original line, differs mainly in body coloration. It's worth confirming beforehand which coloration—the black-amber base or the red-and-white Kohaku—matches what you're looking for.

5. 5Avoid Sudden Water Changes

   As with many selectively bred medaka varieties, sudden shifts in water quality or temperature can be stressful. Perform small, frequent water changes and allow ample time for temperature acclimation when introducing new water.

6. 6Tank Sizing for Adult Size

   Adults reach roughly 4 cm in standard body length at most. While the flowing fins can make them look larger, the body itself stays compact, so balance stocking density against tank size to avoid overcrowding.

7. 7Why It's for Experienced Keepers

   Maintaining the fins and reading subtle changes in coloration call for a practiced eye, which is why this variety is considered better suited to experienced keepers. Those who already have some medaka-keeping experience tend to appreciate its qualities more fully.

Frequently asked questions about Red Cliff Medaka

Q.Can beginners keep Red Cliff?

A.According to reference data, this is considered a variety for experienced keepers. Because its fins are delicate and it's sensitive to water quality changes, it's best introduced after gaining some medaka-keeping experience.

Q.What's the difference from Red Cliff Kohaku?

A.The original Red Cliff has a black-amber body with iridescent glow, and the red-and-white "Red Cliff Kohaku" is an offshoot from the same line. Both share the same basic fin structure and traits.

Q.How large do adults grow?

A.Adults reach a maximum of roughly 4 cm in standard body length. The large, spreading fins can make them look bigger, but the body itself remains a small medaka.

Q.Is it safe to keep with other fish?

A.Because the long fins can attract nipping, it's safest to keep tankmates limited to calm fish of similar size. If preserving fin beauty is a priority, keeping only Red Cliff together is recommended.

Q.Are there any legal regulations on this variety?

A.This variety is not subject to CITES. There are no special regulatory concerns to consider when acquiring it.

Useful tools for Red Cliff Medaka care

Learn more about Red Cliff Medaka in the encyclopedia

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