Youkihi Transparent-Scale Medaka

Youkihi Transparent-Scale 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 depth of the vermilion and the red cheeks read well from the side, while the red-and-white pattern left by dropped-out colour can also be judged from above. The Medaka Web Encyclopedia recommends outdoor keeping and suggests shading half the container in summer.

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

Since classification of transparent scale rests on red cheeks, selection starts there. Even within one line some fish are deeply vermilion, some red and white, and some have coloured tails, so decide which expression to aim for before line breeding.

About Youkihi Transparent-Scale Medaka

An improved medaka combining vivid orange-red color with the transparent-scale trait, prized for its rich hues and individual pattern variation. Beginner-friendly to keep.

7 things to know before welcoming a Youkihi Transparent-Scale Medaka

1. 1Enjoy Individual Pattern Variation

   Because of the transparent-scale trait, coloration and patterning can vary from fish to fish even within the same brood. Some develop a red-and-white two-tone look, while others show color extending into the tail fin, making a group especially fun to observe.

2. 2Simple Housing Requirements

   This variety is considered beginner-friendly and adapts well to a range of setups, from outdoor container ponds to indoor aquariums. The basics are avoiding sudden shifts in water temperature or quality and performing regular water changes.

3. 3Compact Adult Size

   Adults reach roughly 4 cm in standard length, making this a compact medaka that's easy to house in limited space and well suited to keeping several fish together in one container.

4. 4Manage UV Exposure for Coloration

   Outdoor sunlight can help bring out the vivid orange-red coloring, but excessive direct sun may stress the fish. Providing partial shade, such as with a reed screen, while monitoring the fish's condition is a good approach.

5. 5Choose Peaceful Tankmates

   Medaka are small and generally peaceful, so if keeping them with other fish, choose similarly sized, calm species. Keeping them alone or in single-species groups is also a popular approach.

6. 6Acclimate Carefully Before Introduction

   When introducing fish to a new environment, differences in water temperature or chemistry can cause stress, so a gradual acclimation process is important. It's also wise to feed lightly and observe behavior for the first few days.

7. 7Approachable for Breeding

   Medaka are relatively easy to breed, and the transparent-scale trait can be passed on to offspring. Having a spawning mop and a separate container ready makes it easier to manage eggs and fry.

Frequently asked questions about Youkihi Transparent-Scale Medaka

Q.Can beginners keep Youkihi Transparent-Scale Medaka?

A.Yes, this variety is considered beginner-friendly. With basic water changes and attention to water quality and temperature, it can be kept easily either outdoors or indoors.

Q.How does it differ from standard Youkihi Medaka?

A.The added transparent-scale trait intensifies the orange-red color and can produce individuals with a red-and-white pattern or color extending into the tail fin. It was created in 2008 by Masaki Komiya through a cross between Youkihi and transparent-scale medaka.

Q.How large does it grow as an adult?

A.Adults reach a maximum of roughly 4 cm in standard length, making it a compact medaka that's easy to house in limited space.

Q.Is this variety subject to CITES?

A.Youkihi Transparent-Scale Medaka is not subject to CITES.

Q.Do all individuals develop the red-and-white pattern?

A.The transparent-scale trait can cause some individuals to develop a red-and-white two-tone pattern, but not every fish shows the same look — coloration and patterning vary from one individual to the next.

Useful tools for Youkihi Transparent-Scale Medaka care

Learn more about Youkihi Transparent-Scale Medaka in the encyclopedia

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