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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Japanese rice fish

Oryzias latipes Temminck & Schlegel, 1846
Oryzias Latipes (Oryzias latipes)
Oryzias Latipes (Oryzias latipes)
Oryzias Latipes (Oryzias latipes)
Max Length
4 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Adults occur in ponds, marshes, paddy fields and small flows of plains . They prefer slow-moving streams. Inhabit mainly waters of lowlands and brackish water, and also known to inhabit tide pools of coasts of certain regions in Japan and Korea. They can withstand a wide range of salinity . Omnivorous . For indoor culture, a diluted sea water is rather better than the freshwater , and the use of a balanced salt solution is recommended, if the tap water proves to be unsuitable . Used in experimental research . Non-annual breeders. Are easy to maintain in the aquarium . A fluorescent ornamental variety (genetically modified fish), a product of fluorescent protein extracted from jellyfish and attaching to DNA in embryonic fish of this is now being sold in the aquarium trade .

Scientific Name
Oryzias latipes
Authority
Temminck & Schlegel, 1846
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
4 cm
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Migration
Amphidromous
Water Temp
18–24 °C

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 7; Anal soft rays: 15 - 21; Vertebrae: 30 - 31. Meristic characters mainly from Nam Theun, Laos sample only . Scale count refers to the scales in longitudinal row .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Japanese rice fish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

Carries eggs for some time before deposition . Oocytes mature at night followed by ovulation at dawn .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19; amphidromous . Subtropical; 18°C - 24°C ; 55°N - 10°N, 85°E - 105°E

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish
Migration
Amphidromous
Trophic Level
3.4±0.45

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00437 × L3.11 (TL)
Max TL
4cm
Dorsal Rays
7
Anal Rays
18
Vertebrae
31

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
18–24°C
pH Range
7–8

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Temminck & Schlegel, 1846

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Japanese rice fish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Japanese rice fish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Japanese rice fish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Japanese killifish · Japanese medaka · Japanese rice fish · Japanese Ricefish · Medaka · Moonlight Medaka · ricefish
🌍CES medaka japonská
🇩🇰Danish Japansk risfisk
🇩🇪German Japan-Reiskärpfling · Japanischer Goldhecht · Japanischer Reisfisch · Japankärpfling · Japankärpling · Medaka · Südlicher Killifisch · Südlicher Medaka
🇯🇵Japanese Minamimedaka · ミナミメダカ · メダカ · メダカ(目高) · メダカキタニホンシュウダン · メダカミナミニホンシュウダン
🇰🇷Korean 송사리
🇵🇱Polish Ryzanka japonska · ryżówka japońska
🇷🇺Russian Японская оризия
🌍THA ปลาซิวข้าวสารญี่ปุ่น
🇨🇳Chinese 彈魚 · 稻田魚 · 米鱂 · 米鱂,稻田魚 · 青鱂 · 魚目娘

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 227 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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