Miyuki Blue Medaka Ricefish

Miyuki Blue Medaka Ricefish (Oryzias latipes – Miyuki Blue Variety)

Cool, luminous, and strikingly beautiful — the Miyuki Blue Medaka is one of the most iconic and beloved varieties of Japanese ricefish. "Miyuki" (meaning "deep snow" in Japanese) perfectly captures the ethereal, mirror-like blue iridescence that runs along the body of these fish. Under aquarium lighting, they shimmer like moonlight on water — a truly captivating sight that never gets old.

Fish Details

• Adult Size: 3–4 cm (1–1.5 inches)
• Temperament: Peaceful, active schooling fish
• Diet: Omnivore — accepts high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and small live/frozen foods (baby brine shrimp, daphnia, micro worms)
• Lifespan: 2–4 years
• Breeding: Egg layer — females carry egg clusters and deposit them on plants or spawning mops; eggs hatch in 10–14 days

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 40 L (10 gallons)
• Water Temperature: 18–26°C (64–79°F) — adaptable; tolerates cooler temperatures well
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• Water Hardness: Moderately hard to hard
• Lighting: Moderate to bright — enhances their signature blue mirror-like sheen

Compatibility

• Best kept in groups of 6 or more to display natural schooling behaviour
• Ideal tankmates: other medaka varieties, small rasboras, corydoras, snails, and freshwater shrimp
• Avoid housing with large or fin-nipping fish
• Suitable for outdoor tubs or ponds during warmer Canadian months

Care Tips

• A dark substrate dramatically enhances their blue iridescent colouration
• Floating plants like water lettuce or frogbit provide shade and mimic their natural rice paddy habitat
• One of the easiest medaka varieties to breed — add a spawning mop or fine-leaved plants and they will readily spawn
• Perform regular water changes of 20–30% weekly to maintain optimal health and colour
• Keep the tank covered — medaka are known to jump

A timeless classic in the medaka hobby — the Miyuki Blue Medaka brings a cool, luminous elegance to any peaceful community aquarium or outdoor pond setup.