Lame Tricolor Medaka Rice Fish
Species Profile
Lame Tricolor Medaka Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes) are an ornamental Japanese strain with complex calico patterning. And the name really says it all: lame (lah‑meh) means “sparkle,” which fits perfectly since their reflective scales of white, deep black patches, and warm orange markings catch the light like tiny underwater diamonds. While they look great through front aquarium glass, Japanese rice fish were historically bred to be admired from above, making this tricolor glitter variant especially well-suited for shallow rimless setups, mini ponds, and outdoor patio tubs. Because they feed actively right at the surface and can easily leap when startled, keeping a secure lid on the tank is essential.
**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
- Mottled white, black, and orange tricolor pattern accented by reflective sparkle scales stands out in front and top-down views.
- Active top-dwelling nano schooler that stays plant-safe and leaves carpet plants rooted.
- Cold-tolerant and adaptable nature thrives in unheated indoor tanks, heated community setups, 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.
- Equip your tank with a snug lid or generous floating plant cover; active Medakas can leap when startled.
- Provide gentle surface circulation; strong filter turbulence can easily exhaust these small surface swimmers.
- Feed crushed flakes, micro pellets, or baby brine shrimp once or twice daily to match their small, upturned mouths.
- Keep in groups of 6 or more to encourage confident schooling behavior and reduce stress.
- Tricolor patch distribution and sparkle scale density vary naturally between individual fish and intensify under full-spectrum light.
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) | Lame Tricolor Medaka Rice Fish, Calico Lame Medaka, Japanese Rice Fish |
| Family | Adrianichthyidae |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Diet | Omnivore (Crushed flakes, micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, daphnia) |
| Plant Safe | Yes (Safe with aquatic plants, carpets, and 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 plants and spawning mops) |
| Origin | Japan (Tank-bred domestic strain) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I bring out the best sparkle and color on Lame Tricolor Medakas?
Top-down lighting and dark backgrounds make the biggest impact. Because "lame" sparkle scales are angled along the dorsal ridge, direct overhead full-spectrum illumination makes them flash brightly, especially against dark substrate or in outdoor tubs. Feeding carotenoid-rich live or frozen foods like baby brine shrimp and daphnia will also help deepen their orange coloration.
2. Do Lame Tricolor Medaka Rice Fish require an aquarium heater?
Not in a standard indoor room. Japanese Medakas are eurythermal and handle wide temperature ranges with ease, thriving at typical room temperatures between 64°F and 74°F without a heater. They also work well in heated community aquariums up to 78°F or unheated outdoor mini ponds in spring and summer.
3. How do Medaka Rice Fish spawn, and how do I raise the fry?
Females produce small bunches of eggs that hang from their vent like tiny grape clusters before they brush them off into floating plant roots or artificial yarn mops. For a complete breakdown of setting up breeding tubs, collecting egg mops, and raising fry, read our Japanese Rice Fish Care Guide.
4. Are Lame Tricolor Medakas safe to keep with dwarf shrimp?
Adult Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp are safe to house with them. Medakas stay close to the waterline and have small upturned mouths, rarely interacting with shrimp grazing on hardscape or substrate. Free-swimming newborn shrimplets at the surface can be eaten, so having dense moss and low ground cover provides plenty of protection for your colony.