Mandarine Orange Ricefish

Ricefish are similar to killifish but belong to their own genus, Oryzias, spread throughout Asia from China to Japan. The orange speckled ricefish, or "youkihi" ricefish, is bred in Japan to display pretty orange coloring. Ricefish are common in Japan, but the ricefish offered in the aquatic trade are bred to show superior coloration. The orange ricefish is rare. Both sexes are colorful; males have slightly larger fins. Ricefish are sold individually but do best in a school of six or more.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Ricefish stay near the surface, so give them plants, floating plants and a lid. They are cool-water fish and do fine at room temperature, and they also do well in outdoor ponds and patio tubs in warm months.

Feeding: Feed crushed flake or micro pellets once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. They also enjoy frozen brine shrimp.

Tankmates: Ricefish get along with other small, peaceful fish like white clouds, small rasboras, danios and shrimp. They can share an unheated tank with cool-water species, but avoid large or fast fish (including fancy goldfish) that may eat or outcompete them.

Good to know: Medaka have been kept in Japan for centuries and are one of the hardiest small fish in the hobby. Both sexes are colorful; males have slightly larger fins.