Full-Body Tainaikou Medaka
The Full-Body Tainaikou Medaka is an improved medaka variety whose body-light trait spreads across nearly the entire body, or appears in scattered patches. It shows up in fish with transparent or semi-transparent scales, producing a glow that's more vivid than standard body light, often a gradient blending blue, green, and orange tones. Because the way it catches the light shifts with angle and viewing conditions, watching the tank rarely gets old. This variety is considered suited to intermediate keepers, with adults reaching up to about 4cm. It's a great pick for anyone who wants to explore the depth of improved medaka breeding or is looking for a genuinely distinctive fish.
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- Variety Name
- Lineage
- Actual Photos
- Color Classification
- Body Type
- Scale Type
- Size
- Origin
- Age/Generation
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Full-Body Tainaikou 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
- The glowing layer forms a horizontal plate, so the light shows only from above. Fish range from sparsely glowing to glowing over the whole body, so selection is done looking down into the container. Outdoor containers viewed from above suit it best.
- 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
- Full-body tainaikou appears only on transparent-scaled or semi-transparent-scaled fish, so scale type is the starting point for selection. The colour is a gradation and varies greatly, with many fish showing several colours. It is distinguished from tainaikou and peritoneal glow by where the light appears.
About Full-Body Tainaikou Medaka
Full-Body Tainaikou Medaka is an improved medaka with a vivid blue-green-orange body light spreading across most of its body. Adults reach up to 4cm; suited to intermediate keepers seeking a distinctive glow.
7 things to know before welcoming a Full-Body Tainaikou Medaka
1Body Light Varies by Fish
Body light is a trait that appears in fish with transparent or semi-transparent scales, and the range and color blend of the glow varies from fish to fish. Some individuals glow evenly across the whole body while others show scattered patches, and the appearance can also change as the fish grows.
2Angle Changes the Glow
The body light looks different depending on whether you view the fish from above or from the side, and lighting angle affects how the blue and green tones come through. Adjusting the lighting angle can bring out a more vivid gradient.
3Suited to Intermediate Keepers
This variety is considered suited to intermediate keepers, requiring attentive water quality and temperature management. It's best approached after you've built up basic medaka-keeping experience, such as routine water changes and avoiding overcrowding.
4Tank Size for Adult Growth
Adults grow up to about 4cm (standard length). Overcrowding can affect both water quality and how the body light appears, so keep the container or tank size generous relative to the number of fish.
5Avoid Sudden Water Changes
As with improved medaka in general, sudden shifts in water quality or temperature can stress the fish. Change water gradually and match the temperature of new water to the tank before adding it.
6Breeding Yields Varied Glow
Because body light is a heritable trait, breeding is possible, but not every offspring will show the same full-body glow as the parents. Expect variation in how strongly the trait appears in the fry.
7Cycle the Tank Before Arrival
Before bringing the fish home, cycle the tank by dechlorinating the water and getting the filter running so conditions are stable. Take care with acclimation as the fish adjusts to its new environment.
Frequently asked questions about Full-Body Tainaikou Medaka
- Q.Does the body light show from birth?
- A.Body light typically becomes more visible as the fish matures, and it can be hard to spot in fry. Since it's a trait tied to transparent or semi-transparent scales, how it appears changes as the fish grows.
- Q.Can it be kept with other medaka?
- A.Generally, it can be kept alongside other improved medaka varieties, though compatibility can vary with tank conditions and individual fish. Acclimate new fish carefully when introducing them.
- Q.Does the body light color differ between fish?
- A.Yes, the body light appears as a gradient blending blue, green, and orange, but the exact color balance and coverage vary from fish to fish. Each individual shows its own distinct look even within the same variety.
- Q.Is it suitable for beginners?
- A.The Full-Body Tainaikou Medaka is considered suited to intermediate keepers. It's recommended to get comfortable with basic medaka water quality and temperature management before taking this one on.
- Q.Is it easy to breed?
- A.Breeding is possible as with other improved medaka, but since body light is a heritable trait, not all fry will glow across the full body like their parents. Expect some variation in how strongly the trait expresses.
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