Black rice fish (5 pcs)

The Black Rice Fish is a selectively bred black variety of the Japanese rice fish, also known as the Black Medaka. It is a peaceful, hardy fish that is excellent for nano aquariums, planted tanks, and outdoor tubs.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Japanese rice fish
• Common names: Black Rice Fish, Black Medaka
• Size: 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in)
• Lifespan: 2–4 years (sometimes longer with excellent care)
• Temperament: Peaceful and active
• Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

Aquarium Care

• Tank size: Minimum 40 liters (10 gallons) for a small group
• Temperature: 18–28°C (ideal 22–26°C)
• pH: 6.5–8.0
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water
• Filtration: Gentle to moderate flow
• Lighting: Moderate to bright, especially in planted tanks

Behavior

• Best kept in groups of 6 or more.
• Active near the surface and middle of the aquarium.
• They are excellent jumpers, so use a tight-fitting lid.

Diet

They are omnivores and readily accept:

• High-quality micro pellets
• Fine flakes
• Live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and mosquito larvae
• Small insect larvae and other tiny invertebrates

Tank Mates

Suitable companions include:

• Other Medaka varieties
• Small rasboras
• Small tetras
• Peaceful shrimp (larger shrimp are safest)
• Small snails

Avoid aggressive or much larger fish.

Breeding

Black Medaka are among the easiest egg-laying fish to breed.

• Females carry adhesive eggs beneath the abdomen after spawning.
• Eggs can be collected and incubated separately.
• Fry hatch in about 10–14 days, depending on water temperature.
• Feed newly hatched fry infusoria or powdered fry food, followed by baby brine shrimp.

Outdoor Keeping

One of the unique features of Medaka is that they thrive in:

• Garden ponds
• Water lily tubs
• Balcony containers

They tolerate seasonal temperature changes better than many tropical fish, provided the water does not freeze solid or overheat.

Special Notes

• Their deep black coloration looks especially striking against light-colored substrates and lush green aquatic plants.
• Providing a varied, protein-rich diet and good water quality helps maintain their rich black coloration.
• They are peaceful enough to coexist with floating plants such as duckweed or water lilies, making them ideal for natural-style aquariums and mini ponds.