{"product_id":"orochi-medaka-ricefish","title":"Orochi Medaka Ricefish","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.4em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.08em;color:#0a2a3a;border-bottom:2px solid #3a7ca5;padding-bottom:8px;margin-bottom:18px;text-transform:uppercase;\"\u003eOrochi Medaka Ricefish\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrochi Medaka Ricefish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eOryzias latipes\u003c\/em\u003e) is among the most striking selectively bred varieties of Medaka — a jet-black fish in which the intense black coloration extends uniformly across the body, all fins, and even the eyes, leaving no silver, iridescence, or lighter patterning. \"Orochi\" is a Japanese name for the mythical eight-headed dragon, and the variety earns its dramatic name through this uncompromising, all-black appearance. Unlike more common black fish in the hobby that show dark coloration only on certain parts of the body, a true Orochi Medaka is black everywhere — the result of many generations of selective breeding to enhance and maximize melanophore (black pigment cell) coverage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#fff3e0;border:1px solid #e8c088;padding:14px 18px;color:#7a3a00;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠ Color Maintenance — Dark Environment Required:\u003c\/strong\u003e The depth of the Orochi's black coloration is not fixed — it is actively maintained by the fish's environment. Light-colored substrate, bright backgrounds, or high-intensity lighting cause the fish to pale over time as melanophores contract and redistribute. A dark substrate (black sand or dark gravel), dark background, and subdued or diffused lighting are genuinely necessary to maintain the full depth of black coloration this variety is selected for — not just aesthetically preferable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#e0f0f8;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding:14px 18px;color:#0a2a3a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feed a varied omnivore diet with both protein and plant matter — \u003cstrong\u003eSera Vipan Tropical Flakes\u003c\/strong\u003e crushed to an appropriate size make a good daily staple. Supplement 2–3× per week with \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Daphnia\u003c\/strong\u003e for protein. Medaka are surface and mid-water feeders, so floating and slow-sinking foods work better than heavy sinking pellets. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily — medaka have small mouths and stomachs and do better with frequent small meals than infrequent large ones. For fry, \u003cstrong\u003eSera Micron Fry Food\u003c\/strong\u003e is an ideal first food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eMedaka Ricefish are native to the rice paddies, shallow ponds, and slow-moving streams of Japan and East Asia — a subtemperate environment that makes this species genuinely unusual: it thrives at temperatures well below what most tropical aquarium fish require, and can often be kept without a heater in a cool room. It is one of the most cold-tolerant aquarium fish available, surviving temporary drops to near-freezing in outdoor ponds, though the ideal aquarium range for consistent health and activity is cooler than most tropical species. Orochi Medaka are hardy, adaptable, and breed readily in freshwater — females carry sticky egg clusters near the anal fin before depositing them on plants or spawning mops, and eggs hatch in 10–14 days depending on temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eKeep in groups of \u003cstrong\u003e6 or more\u003c\/strong\u003e — Orochi Medaka are a schooling species that are more confident, active, and visible in a proper group than kept singly or in pairs. They are peaceful with other small, non-aggressive fish and with adult dwarf shrimp, though they may pick at very small shrimp fry. Dense planting and floating plants with long roots (such as water lettuce or Amazon frogbit) provide both cover and natural spawning sites. Flow should be gentle — these are fish of still to very slow-moving water and strong current stresses them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:24px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eA tight-fitting lid is important — Medaka are active surface swimmers and will jump, particularly when startled. A mature, well-planted tank brings out the best behavior and color in this variety; they are less active and more hidden in sparse, bright, or unstable setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#0a2a3a;border-top:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding-top:18px;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eCare \u0026amp; Ideal Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:0.92em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eBeginner — Easy; requires dark setup to maintain coloration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePeaceful, schooling — safe with small peaceful fish and adult dwarf shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eUp to 1.5 inches (4 cm); females slightly larger and plumper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMin. Group Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e6 or more — schooling species, less confident and more prone to jumping when kept in small numbers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e10 gallons for a school of 6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e64–75°F (18–24°C) — cooler than most tropical fish; often kept without a heater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e6.5–8.0 — highly adaptable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDark — black sand or dark gravel required to maintain black coloration; light substrate causes paling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSubdued or diffused — floating plants recommended; bright overhead lighting causes paling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSera Vipan Tropical Flakes (crushed); small floating or slow-sinking foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Frozen\/Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia — 2–3× weekly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eFry Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSera Micron Fry Food; infusoria\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e3–4 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eCaptive-bred variety; wild ancestors from rice paddies and slow waters of Japan and East Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eKnown jumper — tight lid required. Dark substrate and background are essential, not optional, for color maintenance. Cooler water species — compatible with other cool\/temperate fish. Breeds readily; females carry egg clusters before depositing on plants. Eggs hatch in 10–14 days.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52585414590775,"sku":"Oryzias latipes","price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/orochi-medaka-ricefish","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}