Medaka Breed Comparison: Yokihi, Miyuki & Tricolor

Japanese rice fish (medaka) now exist in hundreds of varieties, with diversity rivaling goldfish and tropical fish. Here's a comparison of popular varieties to help beginners make informed choices.

Youkihi (Yang Guifei)

Named after the legendary Chinese beauty Yang Guifei, this variety features a deep orange to reddish body color. Developed from the Himedaka variety, it is widely available and easy to obtain.

• Body color: Deep orange to red-orange
• Ease of keeping: ★★★★★ (Very hardy)
• Features: Color changes with light exposure. Becomes more vivid with outdoor keeping
• Ideal for: Beginners, those wanting to enjoy outdoor biotope setups

Miyuki

A popular variety known for its distinctive metallic dorsal line. One of the varieties that sparked the improved medaka boom. Its blue-white luminescence under light is captivating.

• Body color: Blue-white to silver metallic line (classified by light coverage: full-body, super, etc.)
• Ease of keeping: ★★★★ (Relatively hardy)
• Features: Light quality (full-length, extending to head) serves as a quality indicator
• Ideal for: Those who love iridescent, shimmering specimens

Tricolor (Sanshoku)

Features beautiful mixed coloring of white, black, and red. Each individual has a unique pattern, making them highly collectible.

• Body color: White base with black and red markings (koi-like appearance)
• Ease of keeping: ★★★ (Somewhat delicate)
• Features: High individual variation in pattern; some strains have low fixation rates
• Ideal for: Those who enjoy unique individuals, those interested in variety development

Other Notable Varieties

• Lame Medaka: Varieties with glitter-like sparkle scattered across the body. Extremely wide range of colors and types
• Daruma Medaka: Shortened vertebrae create a round body shape. Adorable but breeding is challenging
• Transparent Scale: Transparent scales allow the red gills to show through. Distinctly beautiful
• Albino: Characterized by lack of pigment and red eyes. Delicate and for advanced keepers

Find Medaka on Bri-Choku

With an understanding of variety characteristics, search for your favorite medaka. Bri-Choku's medaka category features diverse varieties carefully raised by breeders. Browse photos and detailed information to make your selection.