Japanese Rice Fish (Medaka)

Reproductive Phenomenon (Egg Clusters):

Medaka reproduction is unique. In spring (when the water exceeds 15-18°C / 60-65°F), females will produce eggs daily. They do not lay them on the bottom. Instead, they expel a cluster of 10-20 eggs held together by adhesive filaments that remain attached to the mother's belly like a bunch of grapes. The female will swim with this "load" for hours in plain sight, until she swims through thick floating plants, triggering the adhesive that will leave the cluster attached to the roots for incubation.

Balcony Pond Setup (Mini-Pond):

Although they can live in a normal freshwater aquarium, their true nature is expressed in "Mini-Ponds". A dark ceramic or resin tub placed outdoors, filled with a soil bottom, water lilies, water hyacinths and no filter, is the Medaka's paradise. They thrive in seasonal rhythms. Warning: in winter, if the water freezes on the surface, the Medaka will go into "hibernation" (dormancy) at the bottom, stopping their metabolism. You must not feed them if the water drops below 8-10°C (46-50°F).

Top-View Species:

When you buy them, you will notice that in stores viewed from the side in an aquarium they look dull. This is because they have been selected for centuries by the Japanese to be seen from above in pots. The "Miyuki" strains have a line of scales of a dazzling neon blue that shines only if struck by the sun when looking at them from the back. Other variants (Sanke, Lame) look like small Koi carps seen from above.

No Current:

Originally from the asphyxial and stagnant rice paddies of Japan, they disdain moving water. The lack of a mechanical filter in an outdoor pond well balanced by real plants is the optimal situation for them.