Medaka is a tropical fish that is popular among beginners and experts alike. Its charm lies in its beautiful colors and high fertility. However, there are many types of medaka, and first-time owners may be confused as to which type to choose. Therefore, this time we will introduce carefully selected types of medaka that are recommended for beginners.
First, we will introduce the standard varieties that are easy to handle even for beginners. Relatively small and durable species such as Himedaka and Onihimedaka are recommended. Also, Himedaka comes in a wide variety of colors, making it a fun species for first-time owners. Furthermore, examples of medaka fish with strong constitutions include Himedaka, Onihimedaka, and Green Owl Miushi.
Next, we will introduce the latest varieties that have recently become popular. Recently, brightly colored medaka like neon tetras have also appeared. Among them, the black neon tetra is a beautiful fish with a bright blue color on its black body. It also goes well with Crystal Red Shrimp and is fun to raise. We recommend neon tetras, black neon tetras, and white crown tails, which are easy to keep even for beginners.
What kind of fish is Medaka?
Medaka is a domestic freshwater fish that lives widely in rivers in Japan, and Japan has two species, Minami Medaka and Kitano Medaka, which are collectively called Medaka. The adult medaka is very small, about 3-4 cm in length. In nature, it lives in streams and ponds and eats small aquatic insects.
Many people may have raised killifish as part of their elementary school science classes. It is a fish that is very familiar to Japanese people, but in the last 10 years it has been actively improved, and many types (Improved killifish) has been produced.
Currently, it is said that there are 600 and 700 types of improved medaka. Furthermore, the number of varieties continues to increase year by year, and breeders all over the country are creating a wide variety of varieties.
What is medaka?
Characteristics of medaka
Medaka is a small freshwater fish that lives in Asia, including Japan. The body length is about a few centimeters, and the body shape is elongated and flattened. They also come in a variety of colors, including red, black, white, and blue. Medaka is popular as an ornamental fish because it has a strong reproductive capacity and is easy to raise.
Medaka habitat
Medaka is widely distributed in Asia, including Japan. In Japan, it can be found in many areas from Hokkaido to Kyushu, and it breeds particularly actively in the warm southern regions. Medaka also inhabits various water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and rice fields. Medaka fish often live in waters with a water temperature of 20 degrees or higher and are sensitive to water quality, so if you want to keep them, you need to create an appropriate aquarium environment.
Standard types and varieties of medaka
First of all, we will introduce types that are durable, easy to grow, and relatively inexpensive for those who want to start breeding medaka. Even though they are standard varieties, there are many variations, so please try to find your favorite.
black killifish
Wild Minami Medaka and Kitano Medaka are sold under this name. The number of black medaka is decreasing nationwide, and it is also a valuable fish that is designated as an endangered species.
Himedaka
It is a type in which the body that emerged by mutation from the black medaka is a fixed scarlet individual. The price is low and the distribution volume is large, making it a popular breed for beginners as an introductory species for breeding medaka.
white killifish
One of the introductory breeds with an elegant white body. Although it is a simple color, it is also very compatible with greenery such as aquatic plants.
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panda
It is characterized by its black panda-like eyes, and is called by its body color, such as red panda or white panda. It is one of the cheaper varieties among the improved varieties.
Orochi
A type with a black body produced by 'Asuka Medaka' in Nara Prefecture. Before Orochi, there were various types of black medaka, such as Kuromine and Black Panda. Does not lose black color (does not fade)It is a type that has a characteristic of blackness that stands out conspicuously.
It's been a long time since it was created, but it's still a popular breed.
Yang Guifei Medaka
It is a red (orange) variety that pioneered improved medaka, and is now a standard variety that can be obtained from around 100 yen. The red color is even darker than that of the killifish, and it catches the eye even when kept in an aquarium or in a water lily bowl, and has a strong presence.
There is also a variety called Kotei, which pursues the redness of Yang Guifei.
East sky red (Eastern light)
It is a type with a characteristic form called the light body type in the vivid orange of Yang Guifei. The characteristics of light-type medaka can be fully enjoyed when viewed from the side, so it is recommended for those who cannot breed medaka outdoors (those who mainly breed in aquariums).
Miyuki Medaka
A popular improved medaka with a bluish glossy body. It is very durable and easy to grow, and the price is reasonable, just like Yokihi Medaka, so it is recommended for beginners.
Popular & Latest Improved Medaka Varieties (Types)
Next, we will introduce carefully selected varieties that are a bit maniacal and the latest varieties that have just been produced. Some of them have glittering scales and some have long fins.
sapphire
It is a very gorgeous and beautiful variety with blue glitter on its back made by Seirakuan, which produces and sells killifish in Okayama Ken. Currently, there is a large amount of distribution, and it is considerably easier to obtain than when it was first released.
There is also a variety called sapphire without dorsal fin, which has no dorsal fin and the lame on the back is not interrupted from the head to the caudal fin.
mariage long fins
Medaka exchange meeting in Ehime Mr. Tarumizu created in 2021, a type of medaka with a characteristic that the fin grows and the tip becomes fluffy. Flashy fins reminiscent of tropical fish shocked the world of improved medaka.
Marriage long fins now have wider fins Marriage long fin kissing wide fin typeThe breed, and those with kissing fins have an emerald color, mariage kissing emerald fin typeare also produced.
Reiwa Black Lame Mikiyuki Sapphire (Reiwa Sapphire)
A sapphire produced by Seirakuan with red color on each fin, and the contrast between the red fin and blue lame is very beautiful and the latest popular variety. The gene that makes the fins of medaka, which has a dark body color, red is called the Reiwa gene.
At Seirakuan, improvements are being made to real long fin types with elongated fins, and Reiwa three-color lame, which has three-color patterns and red fins.
Ulysses
It is a medaka that emphasizes the blue color of the lame of a variety called Aurora yellow lame, and was named after the beautiful cobalt blue butterfly that lives in Australia.
The butterfly called Ulysses is also called the blue butterfly of happiness in the local area, and the name of this medaka seems to be very beneficial as well as its appearance. It will be a very popular breed all over the country.
Ouka/Moonflower
It is one of the varieties of red and white lame and three-color lame produced by Joshu Medaka in Gunma Prefecture.
The lame density is very high, and the sparkling lame that covers the back is very popular with women. Red and white and three-color patterns have a low fixed rate, and it is difficult to keep increasing beautiful patterns, but it is a perfect breed to enjoy the real pleasure of improvement.
cherry blossoms at night
Created by the aforementioned Mr. Tarumi, it is a popular breed with a pink head and a darker body color with lame. It is also the type that is the base of many lame-type killifish that are currently being produced, and it is very popular because of its characteristics that are perfect for naming.
Today, there are a wide variety of types, such as Yozakura Gold, which is yellowish all over the body, and the persimmon-colored Yozakura Tancho type, which is reddish only on the head, and each boasts high popularity.
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Five types
It is a very astringent medaka with the expression "black rim" created by the medaka shop "Shiira medaka" in Saitama Prefecture. It has a black-based body color with dark red in the fins, which is a little different from lame medaka.
Type 5 also has various derivative variations, such as type 5 type R, type 5 type B, and GOD.
black diamond
It is a kind of medaka that looks like a black gem with a black body color as the base and lame on the body side. In the past, there were many people who enjoyed medaka from the top, but recently this type of medaka has become popular.
This type was created by Mr. Nakazato in Kanagawa Prefecture, who created the Real Longfin and Platinum Hoshikawa varieties.
Red thistle
One of the most popular black rim varieties. The contrast between red and black is solid, and like Go-Shiki, it boasts a deep-rooted popularity among certain maniacs.
Unusual medaka varieties (types)
The types of medaka introduced above are also quite unique, but I picked up some more unique medaka, such as names and appearances.
mackerel extremity
It's a medaka with a very strange name, but when you look at it from the side, it lives in the sea. bluish shiny scales like mackerelIt has this name because it has
Improved medaka is often viewed in a black container, but this breed stands out even when viewed in a white container or aquarium, and is very beautiful.
Himiko
It is a breed created by extending the fins of the albino Yang Guifei, which is said to require a knack for breeding, adding a feature called grape eyes, and using a complex gene called a light body type.
The breeding difficulty and the difficulty of successive generations are top class, but the mystery of albino has a charm that other medaka types do not have.
dragon's eye
It is the same albino Miyuki Hirenaga type breed as Himiko. Created by Shizuoka Prefecture's breeder Nekomeshi, it is still a popular breed. The name doesn't look like medaka, but it's a nice variety name that expresses the characteristics and image of this medaka well.
wings of oblivion
Aurora yellow lame fin naga type, with lame on the reddish black body color and long fins. The appearance of swimming with its long, fluttering fins is very elegant.
It is a variety created by Maimedaka, a medaka specialty store in Kumamoto, and many other varieties with unique names such as Ice Break, Gekka Bijin, and Tsukigami have been released to the world.
Ryushohoshi
The name of medaka may be the most difficult to read. This breed was released by Hoshida Medaka, a breeder in Okayama Prefecture, and has the complex characteristics of a black rim light body type and long fins.
Latest types of medaka
rainbow medaka
Rainbow medaka is the latest type of medaka. As its name suggests, rainbow medaka is characterized by its beautiful rainbow-like colors. The variety of colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple are mixed together, making you feel happy just looking at them.
Rainbow killifish can be kept in an aquarium and is recommended for beginners. In addition, new colors of medaka may be produced by breeding with other medaka.
black medaka
Another latest type of medaka is the black medaka. The black medaka has a black body and is gaining popularity due to its beauty. In addition, new colors of medaka may be produced by breeding with other medaka.
Black killifish can be kept in an aquarium like other killifish, and is recommended for beginners. However, breeding in an aquarium requires caution and may require specialized knowledge.
Variety of improved medaka, different ways to enjoy them
Even today, new types of medaka are being created one after another. Medaka is relatively easy to breed and the cycle of generation change is fast, so one of the pleasures of breeding medaka is to purchase various types of medaka and create original varieties by crossing them.
You can find your favorite type of medaka and breed it carefully, or you can try crossing several types with the aim of creating your own original medaka. There are many ways to enjoy the breeding style, such as water lily bowls and aquariums.
Please refer to this article and enjoy breeding killifish in a style that suits you.
summary
This time, we introduced the types of medaka that are recommended for beginners. These standard species are easy to raise and reasonably priced, making them perfect for first-time medaka owners.
We also mentioned the latest varieties. These varieties are brightly colored and have a unique appearance. However, it can be difficult to raise medaka, so if you are raising medaka for the first time, we recommend starting with standard species.
Finally, when keeping medaka, you need to be careful about water quality management and feeding. By regularly changing the water and feeding properly, you can raise healthy killifish.
The above is a summary of the types of medaka recommended for beginners. Why not try raising a medaka fish?
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