Shutennou Medaka
Shutennou is a Youkihi medaka with a vivid red-orange body, refined into the Hikari dharma body type. It has a short, rounded body with a shimmering line along the back, and its dorsal and anal fins share the same shape. Yukio Oba developed it in 2005, and the name reflects the idea of it being the finest of the red-orange medaka. Dharma-bodied fish tend to swim at a relaxed pace, and the red-orange is easy to enjoy when viewed from above. It suits intermediate keepers who can pay attention to water quality, water flow, and tank mates.
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Shutennou Medaka key facts
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Lifespan
- Few reliable data
- Size
- Shorter than normal-bodied medaka because of the daruma body (wild medaka reach up to 4 cm SL: FishBase)
- Diet
- Omnivore (floating prepared foods, live foods such as daphnia)
- Container & Tank
- The shining back line shows from above, and the orange-red colour from above or the side.
- Breeding
- Fixation is about 50%; pair hikari-daruma fish and keep normal or hikari-bodied siblings separately.
- Health & Cautions
- The daruma body has a shortened spine and swims less strongly; avoid strong currents and make sure it gets its share of food.
- Diet & Feeding
- Give floating food that is eaten within 3-5 minutes: at least twice a day in summer, once a day in spring and autumn, and little or none outdoors in winter.
- Cautions
- Never release ornamental medaka into rivers, ponds or paddies; hybridisation causes genetic pollution of wild medaka.
About Shutennou Medaka
Shutennou is a red-orange Youkihi medaka in the Hikari dharma body type, with a rounded body and a shimmering line along the back. Developed by Yukio Oba in 2005. Learn its traits and care tips.
7 things to know before welcoming a Shutennou Medaka
1The Rounded Dharma Body
The dharma body is shorter and rounder than the normal body type, so adults stay on the short side. Shutennou is recognizable by the shimmering line along its back and by dorsal and anal fins of the same shape.
2Intermediate-Level Care
Its care level is rated for intermediate keepers. If you are already comfortable with basic medaka keeping, it is easier to respond calmly to changes in water quality or the fish's condition.
3Go Easy on Water Flow
A dharma body is short and round, so strong currents can make swimming harder and tire the fish more easily. Softening the filter outflow and using plants or hiding spots to break up the flow can help.
4Choose Tank Mates Carefully
A slow, relaxed swimmer can miss out on food when kept with fast-moving fish. If you mix species, pick calm tank mates of similar size and watch that everyone is getting enough to eat.
5Showing Off the Red-Orange
The red-orange body can look different depending on the container color and how light falls on it. Once the basic setup is stable, try adjusting it while checking how the fish looks from above.
6Feeding and Water Changes
Feed small amounts that the fish can finish, so leftovers do not foul the water. Change water gradually rather than all at once, avoiding sudden shifts in temperature or water quality.
7Checks Before You Buy
It helps to ask the breeder about the line's traits, the rearing conditions, and whether the fish is an adult or a juvenile. Body shape and color can vary between individuals, so read the photos and descriptions carefully before choosing.
Frequently asked questions about Shutennou Medaka
- Q.What is the origin of the name Shutennou?
- A.It was named to express the idea of the finest red-orange medaka. It is a Youkihi with a red-orange body, turned into the Hikari dharma body type, and was developed by Yukio Oba in 2005.
- Q.Can a beginner keep Shutennou?
- A.Its care level is rated for intermediate keepers. It is best to get used to the basics of medaka keeping first, and if you are unsure, asking the breeder before you buy is a good idea.
- Q.How long does Shutennou live?
- A.There is little reliable information on the lifespan of Shutennou, so we cannot give a definite figure. It also depends on each fish's condition and its environment, so regular observation matters.
- Q.How large does Shutennou grow?
- A.Because of the dharma body, adults are shorter than normal-bodied medaka.
- Q.Can it live with other medaka or fish?
- A.Keeping it with other fish can work if you choose companions carefully. Dharma-bodied fish swim at a relaxed pace, so they may lose out on food to faster fish. Pick calm tank mates of similar size and check that everyone is eating.
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Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
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