Miyuki Blue Medaka Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes) 2-3cm

Description

Miyuki Blue Medaka Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes)

Shimmering, hardy and spectacular when viewed from above, the Miyuki Blue Medaka is one of Japan's most famous ornamental rice fish varieties. Selectively bred for its brilliant metallic blue-silver dorsal shine, this beautiful little fish combines striking colour with exceptional adaptability, making it equally at home in aquariums, planted tubs and suitable outdoor container ponds.

Quick Facts

  • Scientific name: Oryzias latipes
  • Common names: Miyuki Medaka, Miyuki Blue Medaka, Japanese Rice Fish
  • Current size: Approximately 2–3 cm
  • Adult size: Approximately 3–4 cm
  • Tank size: 30L+ recommended
  • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
  • Temperament: Peaceful and active
  • Best kept: Groups of 6 or more (10+ creates a better display)

Is this for you?

✔️ Perfect if:

  • You want a small, peaceful and hardy fish.
  • You enjoy Japanese Medaka varieties.
  • You want a fish that looks spectacular when viewed from above.
  • You have an aquarium, planted tub or suitable outdoor container setup.
  • You'd like a species that can breed readily under good conditions.

❌ Avoid if:

  • You keep large or predatory fish.
  • You want to keep only one or two individuals.
  • Your aquarium has highly aggressive tank mates.
  • You expect every individual to display exactly the same intensity or coverage of metallic colour.

Why choose Miyuki Blue Medaka?

Miyuki Medaka are famous for the brilliant metallic shine that runs along the upper surface of the body. This reflective dorsal colouration was selectively developed in Japan and is particularly impressive when the fish are viewed from above—the traditional way ornamental Medaka are often appreciated.

Depending on the individual, age, genetics and lighting, the metallic blue-silver shine may extend across varying amounts of the back. Mature, high-quality individuals can develop an almost continuous reflective line from the head towards the tail.

Beyond their appearance, Medaka are remarkably adaptable little fish. They are active without being aggressive, tolerate a wider range of temperatures than many tropical aquarium species and readily explore the upper levels of the aquarium or pond.

Benefits

  • Stunning metallic blue-silver dorsal shine
  • Especially beautiful when viewed from above
  • Small and peaceful
  • Hardy and adaptable
  • Excellent for planted aquariums and suitable outdoor setups
  • Readily breeds under suitable conditions
  • Fantastic introduction to ornamental Japanese Medaka

Care made simple

  • Temperature: Approximately 15–28°C
  • pH: Approximately 6.5–8.0
  • Diet: Quality micro pellets, crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, daphnia and other appropriately sized live or frozen foods
  • Water: Clean, stable and well oxygenated
  • Substrate: Sand, fine gravel or planted aquarium substrate
  • Setup: Plants, floating vegetation and plenty of open swimming space near the surface
  • Use a secure lid indoors, as Medaka are capable of jumping.
  • Outdoor setups should always provide shade and protection from temperature extremes and predators.

Pairs perfectly with

  • Other Medaka varieties
  • White Cloud Mountain Minnows
  • Small peaceful Corydoras
  • Otocinclus
  • Peaceful freshwater shrimp
NTA Insight:
Miyuki Medaka are one of those fish that really deserve to be seen from above. Their metallic dorsal shine was developed specifically to create a reflective line across the back, making them spectacular in shallow aquariums, tubs and container ponds. Individual colour and shine will naturally vary, and this variation is part of what makes breeding and selecting Medaka so interesting.

FAQ

What does "Miyuki" mean in Medaka?

Miyuki refers to an ornamental Medaka strain selected for strong metallic reflective colouration along the dorsal surface of the fish. The extent and intensity of this shine can vary between individuals.

Are Miyuki Blue Medaka tropical fish?

Not in the conventional sense. Japanese Medaka tolerate a much broader temperature range than most tropical aquarium fish and can be maintained under temperate conditions when temperatures remain appropriate and stable.

Do Miyuki Medaka need a heater?

Not necessarily. In many indoor environments a heater may not be required. The important factor is avoiding unsuitable extremes and rapid temperature fluctuations.

Can Miyuki Medaka live outdoors?

Yes. Medaka are commonly maintained outdoors in suitable tubs and container ponds. Outdoor setups should provide adequate water volume, shade, predator protection and protection from extreme weather conditions.

How many should I keep?

A group of at least six is recommended, although ten or more creates a much more impressive display and encourages natural social behaviour.

Can they live with shrimp?

Adult shrimp generally coexist well with Medaka, although newly hatched shrimplets may occasionally be eaten. Dense mosses and plants provide valuable shelter for young shrimp.

Are Miyuki Medaka easy to breed?

Yes. Healthy adults can spawn regularly during suitable conditions. Females carry clusters of adhesive eggs before depositing them onto plants, spawning mops or other fine structures. Eggs can be removed and raised separately to improve fry survival.

Will every Miyuki Medaka look identical?

No. Metallic coverage, intensity and blue-silver appearance vary naturally between individuals and can continue developing as the fish matures. Unless specifically sold by grade, individual fish should not be expected to have identical markings.

What should I feed the fry?

Newly hatched fry require very small foods such as powdered fry food, infusoria or other appropriately sized microscopic foods before progressing to freshly hatched baby brine shrimp and fine micro foods as they grow.

Miyuki Blue Medaka Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes) 2-3cm

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$15.00


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    Description

    Miyuki Blue Medaka Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes)

    Shimmering, hardy and spectacular when viewed from above, the Miyuki Blue Medaka is one of Japan's most famous ornamental rice fish varieties. Selectively bred for its brilliant metallic blue-silver dorsal shine, this beautiful little fish combines striking colour with exceptional adaptability, making it equally at home in aquariums, planted tubs and suitable outdoor container ponds.

    Quick Facts

    • Scientific name: Oryzias latipes
    • Common names: Miyuki Medaka, Miyuki Blue Medaka, Japanese Rice Fish
    • Current size: Approximately 2–3 cm
    • Adult size: Approximately 3–4 cm
    • Tank size: 30L+ recommended
    • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful and active
    • Best kept: Groups of 6 or more (10+ creates a better display)

    Is this for you?

    ✔️ Perfect if:

    • You want a small, peaceful and hardy fish.
    • You enjoy Japanese Medaka varieties.
    • You want a fish that looks spectacular when viewed from above.
    • You have an aquarium, planted tub or suitable outdoor container setup.
    • You'd like a species that can breed readily under good conditions.

    ❌ Avoid if:

    • You keep large or predatory fish.
    • You want to keep only one or two individuals.
    • Your aquarium has highly aggressive tank mates.
    • You expect every individual to display exactly the same intensity or coverage of metallic colour.

    Why choose Miyuki Blue Medaka?

    Miyuki Medaka are famous for the brilliant metallic shine that runs along the upper surface of the body. This reflective dorsal colouration was selectively developed in Japan and is particularly impressive when the fish are viewed from above—the traditional way ornamental Medaka are often appreciated.

    Depending on the individual, age, genetics and lighting, the metallic blue-silver shine may extend across varying amounts of the back. Mature, high-quality individuals can develop an almost continuous reflective line from the head towards the tail.

    Beyond their appearance, Medaka are remarkably adaptable little fish. They are active without being aggressive, tolerate a wider range of temperatures than many tropical aquarium species and readily explore the upper levels of the aquarium or pond.

    Benefits

    • Stunning metallic blue-silver dorsal shine
    • Especially beautiful when viewed from above
    • Small and peaceful
    • Hardy and adaptable
    • Excellent for planted aquariums and suitable outdoor setups
    • Readily breeds under suitable conditions
    • Fantastic introduction to ornamental Japanese Medaka

    Care made simple

    • Temperature: Approximately 15–28°C
    • pH: Approximately 6.5–8.0
    • Diet: Quality micro pellets, crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, daphnia and other appropriately sized live or frozen foods
    • Water: Clean, stable and well oxygenated
    • Substrate: Sand, fine gravel or planted aquarium substrate
    • Setup: Plants, floating vegetation and plenty of open swimming space near the surface
    • Use a secure lid indoors, as Medaka are capable of jumping.
    • Outdoor setups should always provide shade and protection from temperature extremes and predators.

    Pairs perfectly with

    • Other Medaka varieties
    • White Cloud Mountain Minnows
    • Small peaceful Corydoras
    • Otocinclus
    • Peaceful freshwater shrimp
    NTA Insight:
    Miyuki Medaka are one of those fish that really deserve to be seen from above. Their metallic dorsal shine was developed specifically to create a reflective line across the back, making them spectacular in shallow aquariums, tubs and container ponds. Individual colour and shine will naturally vary, and this variation is part of what makes breeding and selecting Medaka so interesting.

    FAQ

    What does "Miyuki" mean in Medaka?

    Miyuki refers to an ornamental Medaka strain selected for strong metallic reflective colouration along the dorsal surface of the fish. The extent and intensity of this shine can vary between individuals.

    Are Miyuki Blue Medaka tropical fish?

    Not in the conventional sense. Japanese Medaka tolerate a much broader temperature range than most tropical aquarium fish and can be maintained under temperate conditions when temperatures remain appropriate and stable.

    Do Miyuki Medaka need a heater?

    Not necessarily. In many indoor environments a heater may not be required. The important factor is avoiding unsuitable extremes and rapid temperature fluctuations.

    Can Miyuki Medaka live outdoors?

    Yes. Medaka are commonly maintained outdoors in suitable tubs and container ponds. Outdoor setups should provide adequate water volume, shade, predator protection and protection from extreme weather conditions.

    How many should I keep?

    A group of at least six is recommended, although ten or more creates a much more impressive display and encourages natural social behaviour.

    Can they live with shrimp?

    Adult shrimp generally coexist well with Medaka, although newly hatched shrimplets may occasionally be eaten. Dense mosses and plants provide valuable shelter for young shrimp.

    Are Miyuki Medaka easy to breed?

    Yes. Healthy adults can spawn regularly during suitable conditions. Females carry clusters of adhesive eggs before depositing them onto plants, spawning mops or other fine structures. Eggs can be removed and raised separately to improve fry survival.

    Will every Miyuki Medaka look identical?

    No. Metallic coverage, intensity and blue-silver appearance vary naturally between individuals and can continue developing as the fish matures. Unless specifically sold by grade, individual fish should not be expected to have identical markings.

    What should I feed the fry?

    Newly hatched fry require very small foods such as powdered fry food, infusoria or other appropriately sized microscopic foods before progressing to freshly hatched baby brine shrimp and fine micro foods as they grow.

    Live Arrival & Ordering FAQ

    Why do livestock prices sometimes change?

    Unlike manufactured products, fish and shrimp continue to grow and develop over time. Their value changes as they increase in size, develop colour, or become breeding pairs.

    Our prices are based on the current size, quality and availability of each specimen. While pricing often remains stable for around 3–4 months, it may be updated at any time to reflect these changes.

    We always aim to offer healthy, high-quality livestock at fair and competitive prices.

    Do you offer a live arrival guarantee?

    Yes. All livestock is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

    In the rare event of DOA, please contact us promptly with clear photos of the livestock in the original unopened bag.

    Please review our full DOA and store policies before purchase.

    Can you ship to all states in Australia?

    No. Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship livestock or live plants to WA and TAS.

    What should I check before ordering?

    Before placing an order, make sure:

    • Your tank is fully cycled and stable
    • Your aquarium has enough space for the species
    • Your current livestock are compatible in temperament, size, and requirements
    • Your water parameters, habitat, and temperature suit the species
    • You are not adding too many fish at once
    What should I expect when my fish arrives?

    It is normal for fish, shrimp, or snails to look pale, stressed, or less active after shipping.

    This is temporary. Most livestock will settle and regain colour within a few days.

    How long does it take for fish to settle in?

    Most livestock will take 3–7 days to fully adjust to their new environment.

    Should I feed my fish immediately after arrival?

    No. We recommend waiting 24 hours before feeding to allow them to settle.

    If you already have fish in your tank, feeding them before introducing new arrivals can help reduce stress.

    Why do fish sometimes struggle after being added to a tank?

    In most cases, issues are caused by tank conditions, not shipping.

    • Uncycled or unstable tanks
    • Poor water parameters
    • Overstocking
    • Unsuitable tank mates
    What is Nano Tanks Australia’s main tip for new livestock?

    Most livestock losses happen in immature or unstable tanks, not during shipping.

    If your setup is not fully established, the risk to new arrivals is significantly higher.

    Not sure if this fish is right for your setup?

    If you are unsure whether this species suits your setup, contact us before ordering and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

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