Keeping Medaka: The Complete Beginner's Guide

The Medaka (Oryzias latipes), also known as the Japanese rice fish, is rapidly gaining popularity - and for good reason. This small, robust fish can be kept both indoors in an aquarium and outdoors in a bowl or pond, is easy to care for, and comes in dozens of color variations. In this guide, we'll explain the basics.

What is a Medaka?

Medakas are small, oval-shaped fish originally from Japan, where they have been kept and bred for centuries - similar to how koi are valued in Japan. They grow to about 3 to 4 cm, are very hardy (unlike many other small ornamental fish), and can even overwinter outdoors if the water does not freeze completely solid.

Indoor, outdoor, bowl, or pond?

One of the biggest advantages of Medakas is their housing flexibility:

• Aquarium: A small aquarium of 20 liters or more is sufficient for a group of Medakas.
• Medaka Bowl: The traditional Japanese way - a stylish bowl without a filter or heater, such as the Medaka Bowl 420
• Pond: Medakas can also be kept perfectly well in a (mini) pond, provided there is sufficient cover from predators such as herons.

If you opt for a bowl or small outdoor setup, protect your Medakas with a cover net against birds and other unwanted visitors.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 15-28°C - Medakas are remarkably tolerant of temperature fluctuations, even towards winter cold.
• pH: 6.5-8.0
• GH: medium to hard water

For a healthy, biological water balance - especially in a filterless bowl - a product like Medaka Care or Medaka PSB is a valuable addition: both naturally break down organic waste.

Are you keeping your Medakas in a small aquarium? Then a slow-running filter like the Medaka Filter Kit is a nice addition, specifically designed for their peaceful environment.

Feeding

Medakas are grateful eaters who accept both floating and sinking food. Special Medaka food such as the Hikari Medaka No-Mai Next is tailored to their nutritional needs and contains probiotics for healthy digestion.

Coexistence with other fish

Medakas are peaceful schooling fish that thrive best in a group of at least 6 to 10 individuals. Preferably do not combine them with larger or active fish species that might chase them - their calm, understated nature is best suited to their own, specially arranged tank or bowl.

Next steps

Once familiar with the basics, you can delve further into the world of Medaka colors or start breeding them. Also read our articles on Medaka color variations and Medaka breeding.

Questions?

Feel free to visit our store in Heinkenszand for personal advice on setting up your first Medaka housing, or ask your question via chat.