Ulysses
Ulysses is an improved medaka variety with translucent black-and-orange scales overlaid with fine, shimmering blue glitter that shifts expression depending on the angle of light. The contrast between the warm orange base color and cool blue sparkle makes it a favorite in shows and competitions. Classified as beginner-friendly, it's an approachable choice even for first-time medaka keepers. Adults stay compact at around 3-4cm in body length with a lifespan of roughly 2-3 years, making them well suited to small tanks or lotus bowls. Bringing out their best coloration comes down to consistent basics: adequate light exposure, proper feeding, and stable water quality.
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Ulysses key facts
- Care level
- Beginner-friendly
- Lifespan
- 2-3 years
- Size
- Body length 3-4cm
- Temperature
- 15〜28℃
- Diet
- Mainly prepared feed, supplemented with live food (brine shrimp, daphnia); fine powdered food for fry.
- Coloration & Traits
- A black-and-orange semi-transparent body carries fine, strongly blue lamé that shifts from blue to green with the light.
- Care Tips
- Hardy and easy to keep; thrives in outdoor tubs, where sunlight helps the lamé and color develop.
- Water Quality & Temperature
- Keep around 15-28°C; avoid summer overheating and sudden swings, and maintain stable water.
- Breeding
- Breeds readily, spawning steadily from spring to autumn once water exceeds 20°C; move eggs to a separate container.
- Cautions
- Body color reacts to the container; the lamé contrast shows best viewed from above in a dark tub. Feed fry fine food often to prevent starvation.
About Ulysses
Ulysses is an improved medaka with translucent black-and-orange scales and shimmering blue glitter. Beginner-friendly, 3-4cm as an adult, living 2-3 years — a show favorite.
7 things to know before welcoming a Ulysses
1Coloration shifts with lighting
The blue glitter on Ulysses shifts noticeably depending on the angle of light. Natural outdoor sunlight or adequate daily light exposure tends to bring out the sparkle and its contrast with the orange base more vividly. Try viewing them at different times of day and angles to appreciate the full effect.
2Hardy and beginner-friendly
Ulysses is classified as beginner-friendly in terms of care difficulty. Like all medaka, sudden changes in water temperature or quality should be avoided, but with a basic, stable setup, this variety is easy for first-time keepers to maintain successfully.
3Compact adult size
Adults remain compact at about 3-4cm in body length, making them easy to keep in small aquariums or lotus bowls. This makes Ulysses an accessible choice even for keepers with limited space.
4Lifespan of roughly 2-3 years
Ulysses has a typical lifespan of around 2-3 years. While that means a long relationship with your fish, maintaining stable water temperatures and keeping an eye on their daily health are the basics for helping them thrive.
5A favorite in shows and competitions
Thanks to the striking contrast between its orange base and blue glitter, Ulysses is known as a favorite variety in shows and competitions. After bringing one home, you can also enjoy comparing how coloration varies between individual fish.
6Prepare for acclimation before arrival
Sudden changes in water temperature or chemistry can stress fish during introduction, so it helps to prepare your acclimation process and tools (a bucket, net, etc.) in advance. Make sure your tank's water conditions are settled before bringing your Ulysses home.
7The look of translucent scales
Because Ulysses has translucent black-and-orange scales, you can also enjoy a sense of depth and translucency in the body. Even a single fish's coloration can shift in impression as it grows and adapts to its environment, giving you something to observe over time.
Frequently asked questions about Ulysses
- Q.Can beginners keep Ulysses medaka?
- A.Yes, Ulysses is classified as beginner-friendly in terms of care difficulty. With basic water quality management and regular observation, it's an approachable variety even for first-time medaka keepers.
- Q.How big does Ulysses grow?
- A.Adults reach a compact size of about 3-4cm in body length, making them well suited to small aquariums or lotus bowls.
- Q.What is the lifespan of Ulysses medaka?
- A.Their typical lifespan is around 2-3 years. Keeping water temperature and quality stable is key to helping them live a long, healthy life.
- Q.What if the blue glitter on my Ulysses is hard to see?
- A.Since the blue glitter's appearance changes with the angle of light, try viewing your fish at different times of day and angles. Natural outdoor sunlight tends to make the sparkle stand out more clearly.
- Q.Are there any legal regulations for keeping Ulysses medaka?
- A.Ulysses is not subject to CITES. There are no special regulatory considerations for keeping this variety.
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Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
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