Japanese Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes): Glittering and Peaceful Nano Gem
Add a sparkling touch to your aquarium with the enchanting Japanese Rice Fish! Native to Japan, the Medaka Kohaku Lame variety dazzles with its pearlescent white body and vivid orange-red markings. For example, its hardiness and gentle temperament make it perfect for nano tanks or outdoor ponds. Consequently, both novice and experienced aquarists adore its shimmering beauty. Order now to enhance your tank with this Japanese gem!
Caring for Japanese Rice Fish
To ensure these fish thrive, provide a tank of at least 20 litres with fine gravel or soft substrate and dense aquatic plants. For instance, maintain water temperatures between 18°C and 26°C, with a pH range of 7.0–8.0, suitable for their adaptable nature. Moreover, floating plants like duckweed enhance their comfort. However, regular 20–30% weekly water changes maintain stable water quality for their long-term health.
Ideal Tank Mates
Japanese Rice Fish are peaceful and thrive in groups of six or more, promoting vibrant schooling behaviour. For example, they coexist well with other medaka, peaceful shrimp, small snails, or nano fish like endlers and rasboras. However, avoid fin-nippers or large predators that may stress them. Moreover, a spacious tank with plant cover ensures a harmonious community environment.
Feeding and Nutrition
As omnivores, these fish require a varied diet to maintain their glittering scales. For instance, offer high-quality micro pellets, flake foods, and live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, or microworms. Moreover, they enjoy algae-based foods. Consequently, feed them 1–2 times daily, ensuring portions are consumed within minutes to preserve water quality.
Breeding Japanese Rice Fish
Breeding these fish is straightforward and rewarding. For example, females deposit eggs on fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, which should be separated to protect fry. Moreover, fry hatch within days and can be fed infusoria or powdered fry food. However, no parental care is provided, so careful monitoring ensures fry survival in a breeding setup.
Species Overview
The Japanese Rice Fish, specifically the Medaka Kohaku Lame, is a hardy and dazzling nano fish, ideal for small aquariums or ponds. Moreover, its pearlescent scales, Kohaku pattern, and schooling behaviour make it a captivating choice for aquarists.
- Species: Oryzias latipes
- Common Name: Japanese Rice Fish, Medaka Kohaku Lame
- Origin: Japan
- Diet: Omnivore
- PH Range: 7.0–8.0
- Temperature: 18°C–26°C
- Current Size: Approximately 2–3 cm
- Max Size: Approximately 3–4 cm
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 litres
FAQs
Q: How much is postage cost?
A: All dry goods are $9.95 flat shipping, $13.95 for Plants express postage and live stock are $23 express postage flat. Handling time applies.
Q: Where do we ship ?
A: We ship Australia wide but Live stock are not shipped to WA,NT & Tasmania because of the state law.
Q: Where do we ship from ?
A: We ship from Sydney,
Q: When do we ship ?
A: All dry goods are shipped Monday - Friday. Live Goods are shipped Mon - Wed depending where you are.
Q: Can I Pick Up ?
A: We are not offering any pickup at this stage
Q: Can I return the item back?
A: All dry stock can be returned back. Live goods are not refundable. Shipping cost will be deducted upon return of the item and also customer is responsible to send the item back.
Q: Are pictures of actual item that I will receive ?
A: Most of our dry goods arrive looking 99% the same as pictured. Items sold by weight may vary in appearance. For live plants, fish, and snails, the photos are for reference only, as natural variations in size, color, and shape will occur.
Q: Are plants pest free ?
A: Our plants are kept in tanks with fish, so they may not be completely pest-free.
Q: Are moss pest free ?
A: Our moss are kept in tanks with fish, so they may not be completely pest-free.
Q: Are Tissue Culture plants pest free ?
A: Yes, They are.
We do ship dry goods.
Step 1: Prepare the necessary materials
Clean bucket or container large enough
Airline tubing
Air pump (optional but recommended)
Adjustable valve or knot (to regulate the flow of water) or get a abquatics drip kit
Clean, dechlorinated water (ideally matching the temperature and pH of your tank)
Step 2: Set up the drip acclimation system
Fill a clean bucket or container with the clean, dechlorinated water.
Attach one end of the airline tubing to an air pump (if using) and place the other end inside the bucket. Make sure it reaches the bottom of the container.
Step 3: Start the drip
Open the bag containing the aquatic animals and carefully pour the entire contents into the bucket, including the water from the transport bag.
Start a siphon by sucking on the free end of the airline tubing or use a siphon starter. This will initiate a slow drip of water into the bucket.
Step 4: Adjust the drip rate
Use an adjustable valve or tie a knot in the airline tubing to regulate the drip rate. Aim for approximately 2-4 drips per second.
The slow drip helps gradually mix the water in the bucket with the water from the transport bag, preventing any sudden changes in water parameters.
Step 5: Monitor the process
Keep an eye on the acclimation process and periodically test the water parameters in the bucket using a test kit. This helps ensure a smooth transition.
Depending on the sensitivity of the animals and the water parameters involved, the acclimation process may take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.
Step 6: Adjust water volume if needed
If the water volume in the bucket becomes too high, you can remove some water and continue the drip acclimation process with fresh, dechlorinated water. Be cautious not to remove too much water, as it can lead to sudden changes in water parameters.
Step 7: Transfer the animals to the tank
Once the acclimation process is complete, gently net the aquatic animals from the bucket and transfer them to the tank. Avoid adding the water from the acclimation container to the tank to prevent any potential contamination.
Step 8: Dispose of the acclimation water
After transferring the animals, discard the acclimation water from the bucket. Do not pour it directly into any drains or natural bodies of water.
By following these steps, you can safely and gradually acclimate your shrimp, snails, and fish to their new tank environment after transport. Remember, it's important to monitor the process closely and make adjustments as necessary to ensure a smooth transition for your aquatic pets.