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Miyuki Black Medaka rice fish swimming in clear water, showcasing its vibrant black coloration and small size.
Miyuki Black Medaka rice fish swimming in clear water, showcasing vibrant black coloration and small size.
Miyuki Black Medaka Rice Fish swimming in a clear aquarium, showcasing vibrant black coloration and elegant fins.
Miyuki Black Medaka rice fish swimming in clear water, showcasing shiny black and metallic scales, freshwater aquarium fish from CT.
Small Miyuki Black Medaka rice fish swimming in a glass aquarium, vibrant black and silver coloration, freshwater fish from CT.
Miyuki Black Medaka rice fish swimming in clear water, showcasing its vibrant black coloration and small size.
Miyuki Black Medaka rice fish swimming in clear water, showcasing vibrant black coloration and small size.
Miyuki Black Medaka Rice Fish swimming in a clear aquarium, showcasing vibrant black coloration and elegant fins.
Miyuki Black Medaka rice fish swimming in clear water, showcasing shiny black and metallic scales, freshwater aquarium fish from CT.
Small Miyuki Black Medaka rice fish swimming in a glass aquarium, vibrant black and silver coloration, freshwater fish from CT.

Miyuki Black Medaka Rice Fish

Sold out
$ 46.79 - $ 77.99
$ 46.79
$ 46.79 - $ 77.99
$ 46.79
Size: 6 Pack

Species Profile

Miyuki Black Medaka Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes) are an eye-catching Japanese domestic strain bred for their deep, smoky charcoal base and metallic dorsal sheen. The Miyuki trait produces an electric, reflective blue-silver light line along the dorsal ridge that cuts sharply across the dark body when hit by overhead illumination. While they look sleek through front aquarium glass, Japanese rice fish were historically developed to be appreciated from above, making this dark metallic morph especially well-suited for shallow rimless setups, mini ponds, and summer 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

  • Smoky charcoal body paired with a metallic dorsal line 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.
  • Charcoal depth and dorsal line intensity vary naturally between individual fish and deepen under strong overhead 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) Miyuki Black Medaka Rice Fish, Black Miyuki Rice Fish, 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 get the metallic line and black base to look their best?

Strong overhead lighting is key for bringing out the Miyuki dorsal sheen. Because the reflective light line runs along the spine, direct downlighting causes it to shine against the dark charcoal body. Using lighter gravel, sand, or bright green carpeting plants can also create a high-contrast background that makes their dark coloration stand out even more.

2. Do Miyuki Black 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 Miyuki Black 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.