Yokihi Medaka Rice Fish
Species Profile
Yokihi Medaka Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes) are one of the most celebrated domestic rice fish strains in Japan, developed specifically for their rich, fiery red-orange coloration. Unlike common pale orange morphs, true Yokihis develop a deep, sunset-toned saturation that intensifies as they mature under high lighting, providing incredible visual punch against dark hardscape and bright green plants. While they look gorgeous through front aquarium glass, they were originally developed for traditional top-down viewing, making them a centerpiece option for shallow rimless planted setups and summer patio tubs alike. They are peaceful, unfussy, and hardy surface schoolers that bring constant movement to the upper layer of your tank!
**Note: All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No extra insulation needs to be added to your cart for your livestock.
Key Features & Notes
- Deep red-orange saturation intensifies with age, creating vivid contrast in front and top-down views.
- Active, surface-oriented schooling fish that fills the upper water column without bothering tank mates.
- Broad temperature tolerance allows them to thrive in unheated indoor tanks, heated scapes, or outdoor tubs.
Acclimation & Care Instructions
- Float the sealed transport bag for 15 to 20 minutes to equalize water temperatures before opening.
- Drip acclimate over 30 to 45 minutes using airline tubing to ease them into your tank's GH, KH, and pH levels.
- Keep a snug-fitting lid or a thick cover of floating plants; active Medakas are capable jumpers when startled.
- Provide gentle to moderate surface agitation; heavy flow from powerheads will exhaust these top-level cruisers.
- Feed crushed flakes, micro pellets, or baby brine shrimp once or twice daily to fit their small, upturned mouths.
- House in schools of 6 or more to encourage confident swimming, lower stress, and bring out their boldest colors.
- Orange saturation and red hue depth vary naturally between individual fish and deepen as they mature.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy livestock!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oryzias latipes |
| Common Name(s) | Yokihi Medaka Rice Fish, Youkihi Rice Fish, Japanese Rice Fish |
| Family | Adrianichthyidae |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Diet | Omnivore (Crushed flakes, micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, daphnia) |
| Plant Safe | Yes (100% safe with all aquatic plants and delicate floaters) |
| Temperament | Peaceful upper-column schooler |
| Adult Size | 1.0"–1.5" (2.5–3.8 cm) |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10+ Gallons (Best in groups of 6+) |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.5–8.0 | GH 5–15 | KH 3–10 | 64°F–78°F (18°C–26°C; tolerates down to 40°F in tubs) |
| Freshwater Breeding | Yes (Prolific egg hangers on floating plants and spawning mops) |
| Origin | Japan (Tank-bred domestic strain) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get my Yokihi Medakas to develop their deepest red-orange color?
Lighting, diet, and age play the biggest roles. Yokihis naturally develop deeper pigments under intense, full-spectrum lighting, which is why outdoor tub specimens often display legendary color. Feeding carotenoid-rich foods like live baby brine shrimp, cyclops, and quality color-enhancing micro pellets will also help bring out their rich red-orange potential.
2. Do Yokihi Medaka Rice Fish require an aquarium heater?
No heater is needed for typical indoor setups. Medakas handle wide temperature shifts comfortably and thrive at standard room temperatures between 64°F and 74°F. They can also handle warmer tropical planted tanks up to 78°F or unheated outdoor mini ponds throughout temperate spring and summer months.
3. How do Medaka Rice Fish spawn, and what setup is best for breeding them?
Females carry fertilized egg clusters at their vent each morning and deposit them into fine floating plant roots, mosses, or acrylic spawning mops. If you want a complete breakdown on collecting eggs, hatching fry, and dialing in parameters, check out our comprehensive Japanese Rice Fish Care Guide.
4. Are Yokihi Rice Fish safe to keep alongside dwarf shrimp?
Yes. Because Yokihis inhabit the upper water column and have small upturned mouths, they rarely interact with adult Neocaridina or Caridina shrimp foraging on the substrate. While a tiny shrimplet caught free-swimming near the surface could be snacked on, a well-planted scape with moss and foreground carpet provides plenty of shelter for high colony survival.