Tank bred orange sparkle medaka ricefish.
The medaka ricefish, scientifically known as Oryzias latipes, is a fascinating species revered in scientific research and admired in aquaria. Native to East Asia, particularly Japan, these small freshwater fish are noted for their hardiness and adaptability to various environmental conditions. They are culturally significant in Japan, where they symbolize fertility and prosperity. Medaka ricefish are renowned for their unique reproductive biology, including their ability to produce transparent embryos, making them valuable for genetic and developmental studies. Their striking colors, ranging from silver to golden hues, add to their allure as both pets and subjects of scientific inquiry, embodying resilience and beauty in aquatic ecosystems.
Medaka ricefish (Oryzias latipes) are hardy and can thrive in a wide range of water conditions, but the ideal water parameters for keeping them healthy are:
- Temperature: 18-28°C (64-82°F). They can tolerate lower temperatures but prefer around 22-25°C (72-77°F) for optimal health.
- pH: 7.0-8.0, with a slight preference for neutral to slightly alkaline water.
- Hardness: 5-15 dGH (moderately soft to moderately hard water).
- Ammonia/Nitrites: 0 ppm (these should always be at zero in any healthy aquarium).
- Nitrates: Less than 20 ppm for optimal conditions.