Tenga Medaka
Tenga Medaka is a fancy medaka variety that pairs the finless "Marco" body type with sparkling blue glitter and a glow that wraps around the body. It was created in 2013 by Yoshinori Nakazato, who crossed Ryusei with Seiga (blue-glitter Mikuni), and named after an old poetic word for the Milky Way. Because it lacks a dorsal fin, the glitter and light along its sides stand out cleanly, giving it a distinctive look from both above and the side. As a variety best suited to keepers with some prior experience, Tenga rewards attention with visible changes in color and shine as it matures. Growing to about 4 cm in standard length at most, it makes a striking centerpiece in both aquariums and outdoor containers.
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- Variety Name
- Lineage
- Actual Photos
- Color Classification
- Body Type
- Scale Type
- Size
- Origin
- Age/Generation
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Tenga 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
- With no dorsal fin to break it, the light reads as a single unbroken line from above, so a dark container viewed from the top suits this variety. Outdoors, guard against summer overheating.
- 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
- Marco is the trait of having no dorsal fin, and its fixation rate has risen in recent years. Glitter does not appear on transparent-scale fish. 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 Tenga Medaka
Tenga Medaka is a finless "Marco" type fancy medaka with blue glitter and outer-body glow, created in 2013 and named after the Milky Way. Suited to keepers with some experience, it grows to about 4 cm in standard length.
7 things to know before welcoming a Tenga Medaka
1Finless Marco Body
Tenga's signature trait is the finless "Marco" body type. This is purely a body-shape feature and doesn't affect other functions, but pairing Marco-type individuals together for breeding helps keep the trait consistent in offspring.
2Blue Glitter & Body Glow
The scattered blue glitter and the glow that wraps around the body are Tenga's main visual draw. Because the intensity of light and color varies between individuals, it helps to check real photos or video beforehand so expectations match what arrives.
3Intermediate Difficulty
Tenga is considered suited to keepers with some prior experience, and a basic understanding of water quality and temperature management helps keep its glitter and glow looking their best. If you're new to medaka keeping, starting with a hardier variety first can help.
4Water Quality Basics
Tenga is sensitive to sudden shifts in water quality or temperature, so change water in small amounts frequently and match the temperature of new water before adding it. Check your filter and substrate regularly to avoid a buildup of debris.
5Light and Coloration
The brightness of the body glow and glitter is said to respond to lighting conditions. Outdoor keeping or a setup with ample light can bring out its color and shine more fully.
6Choosing Tank Mates
Because the finless Marco body swims a little differently, Tenga can end up hiding when paired with fast-moving or aggressive fish. Combining it with calmer medaka of a similar size makes it easier to observe its natural movement and appearance.
7Before You Bring One Home
Cycle your tank or outdoor container for several days beforehand so the water is stable before your Tenga arrives. Acclimate it slowly on arrival to reduce stress from the change in environment.
Frequently asked questions about Tenga Medaka
- Q.Is Tenga Medaka suitable for beginners?
- A.Tenga is considered a variety best suited to keepers with some prior experience. Building basic medaka-keeping skills first makes it easier to maintain its glitter and glow.
- Q.Is the missing dorsal fin a sign of illness?
- A.The absence of a dorsal fin isn't an illness — it's the defining trait of the "Marco" body type. Tenga was bred specifically to carry this Marco trait.
- Q.How big does Tenga Medaka grow?
- A.It reaches about 4 cm in standard length at most. Individual growth rate and final size can vary somewhat.
- Q.What should I watch for when keeping Tenga?
- A.Avoid sudden changes in water quality or temperature, and change water in small amounts regularly. Paying attention to lighting conditions also helps bring out its glitter and glow.
- Q.Is Tenga Medaka regulated under CITES?
- A.Tenga Medaka is not subject to CITES.
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