Orange Rice Fish - Oryzias latipes

Orange Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes)

The Orange Rice Fish is a bright and attractive ornamental variety of Japanese Rice Fish, admired for its warm orange colouration, compact body and active social behaviour. Peaceful, adaptable and easy to care for, it is an excellent choice for planted aquariums, peaceful community setups and suitable outdoor container systems during warmer conditions. Best kept in groups, these small fish are particularly attractive when viewed under good overhead lighting.

Common Name:
Orange Rice Fish, Orange Medaka, Japanese Rice Fish

Scientific Name (Latin):
Oryzias latipes

Maximum Size:
Approximately 4 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Orange Rice Fish is a selectively bred ornamental form of Oryzias latipes, a species originating from East Asia.

Wild Japanese Rice Fish occur in shallow freshwater habitats such as streams, ponds, rice paddies and irrigation channels, often in areas with vegetation and relatively gentle water movement.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 18–26°C
pH Range: 6.5–8.0
Hardness: Soft to Hard
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable

Temperament:
Peaceful

Orange Rice Fish are peaceful and sociable fish that are best maintained in groups.

They mix well with other small, non-aggressive species and are especially suited to planted community aquariums.

Diet:
Omnivore

Offer a varied diet including high-quality micro pellets, finely crushed flakes, frozen or live daphnia, baby brine shrimp and other suitably small foods.

Several small feeds are preferable to one large meal, particularly for younger fish.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 40 litres

Although small, Orange Rice Fish are active and social, so a longer aquarium with open swimming space is preferable.

Behaviour & Activity:
Orange Rice Fish are active, social fish that typically spend much of their time in the upper and middle areas of the aquarium.

They are most confident when kept in groups of at least six individuals, with larger groups creating a particularly attractive display.

Provide open swimming space together with planted areas, floating plants and gentle cover around the edges of the aquarium.

Community Suitability:
Community Fish

Orange Rice Fish are excellent community aquarium inhabitants when kept with other small and peaceful species.

Suitable tankmates include small rasboras, peaceful tetras, Corydoras, small loaches, freshwater shrimp and other calm fish with compatible water requirements.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep in groups to encourage natural social behaviour and reduce stress.

A planted aquarium with areas of open water provides an ideal balance of shelter and swimming space.

Their orange colouration can appear especially vibrant under natural or well-balanced aquarium lighting.

Avoid housing them with large or predatory fish that may view them as food.

Stable water quality and regular partial water changes are important for long-term health.

Orange Rice Fish can tolerate a relatively broad temperature range, but sudden changes should always be avoided.

Suitable for:
Beginner

Availability:
Regularly available

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.