Description

Black Medaka Rice Fish – Sleek, Hardy & Effortlessly Elegant 🖤🐟

Add depth and sophistication to your aquarium with the Black Medaka Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes), a striking variant of the beloved Japanese Medaka. Known for their glossy, jet-black scales and graceful swimming style, these hardy little fish bring understated beauty and endless fascination to planted and nano aquariums alike. Peaceful, adaptable, and full of character, the Black Medaka is a perfect choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists seeking a unique yet low-maintenance species.

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Why You’ll Love the Black Medaka Rice Fish

• ✅ Rich Jet-Black Coloration: Deep metallic tones shimmer subtly under aquarium or natural light.

• ✅ Hardy & Adaptable: Thrives in a wide range of water conditions; ideal for new hobbyists.

• ✅ Peaceful Community Fish: Calm, social, and compatible with many other gentle species.

• ✅ Surface Dweller: Adds movement and contrast to the top levels of the tank.

• ✅ Active Feeders: Always enthusiastic at feeding time—great personality and energy.

• ✅ Easy to Breed: Egg-scattering species that breed readily in planted aquariums.

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Care & Placement

Lighting: Moderate to bright lighting enhances their iridescent black-bronze shine.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 20–28 °C

• pH: 6.5–8.0

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Gentle water flow with excellent filtration recommended.

Tank Size: A small group of 6–10 can thrive comfortably in 40 L or larger aquariums.

Diet: Omnivorous and eager eaters—enjoy a wide variety of foods including micro pellets, flakes, frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, and live foods. Feeding a diverse diet will enhance color and vitality.

Behavior & Compatibility:
Black Medakas are peaceful community fish that spend much of their time near the surface or mid-water zone. They coexist beautifully with small tetras, Corydoras, and shrimp, adding calm movement and contrast to planted tanks. However, they may outcompete shy feeders or smaller rasbora species at mealtime due to their enthusiasm for food.

Tips for Success:

• Keep in small groups—this is a schooling species that displays best in numbers.

• Use a tight-fitting lid; like most ricefish, they can jump.

• Incorporate floating plants such as Salvinia or Amazon Frogbit for comfort and breeding.

• Maintain stable conditions with weekly partial water changes.

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Aquascaping Inspiration 🌿

The Black Medaka Rice Fish pairs beautifully with lush green aquascapes, where their dark bodies create dramatic contrast against bright plants and wood tones. A tank with fine-leafed plants like Myriophyllum, Limnophila, or Cabomba, combined with dark substrates and dappled lighting, highlights their elegant form and fluid swimming style.

They shine in Japanese-inspired setups or minimalist aquascapes where simplicity meets refinement. Gentle surface agitation brings out their metallic glint, while groups moving in unison give the illusion of black pearls gliding through water.

Pair them with Ember Tetras, Neon Tetras, or peaceful shrimp to create a balanced, visually stunning display that’s both serene and sophisticated.

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Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Oryzias latipes

• Common Name: Black Medaka Rice Fish / Japanese Rice Fish

• Origin: Japan & East Asia (selectively bred color morph)

• Adult Size: 3–4 cm

• Temperament: Peaceful, schooling

• Diet: Omnivorous – flakes, pellets, frozen & live foods

• Water Parameters: Temp 20–28 °C | pH 6.5–8.0 | Soft–moderate hardness

• Lifespan: 3–5 years with proper care

• Tank Size: Minimum 40 L for group

• Breeding: Egg scatterer; easy in planted tanks with floating vegetation

• Compatibility: Great with small tetras, Corydoras & shrimp

• Not Ideal With: Very shy rasboras or slow feeders due to fast feeding behavior

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Sleek, adaptable, and full of life, the Black Medaka Rice Fish brings quiet elegance and dynamic energy to any aquarium. Their striking color and friendly nature make them a standout choice for aquascapers who appreciate simplicity, harmony, and a touch of mystery. 🖤🌿🐟

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