Medaka Breeds List | Thorough Comparison of Popular, High-End, and Rare Varieties with Photos [2026 Edition]

Author: Misaki Medaka Sano (Medaka Breeder, Chosei Village, Chiba Prefecture, 13 years experience) Published: June 26, 2026 | Updated regularly

 

---

 

Table of Contents

1. How Many Medaka Breeds Are There? Basic Knowledge
2. Recommended Medaka Breeds for Beginners
3. Popular Breeds Ranking | Classic Medaka Summary
4. High-End Medaka & Rare Breeds List
5. Medaka Breeds List by Body Color
6. Breeds Chosen by Fin and Body Shape Characteristics
7. How to Choose a Breed | Advice from a Breeder
8. Breeds Available for Purchase at Misaki Medaka

---

 

1. How Many Medaka Breeds Are There? Basic Knowledge

The number of medaka breeds exceeds 200, just counting those registered with the Japan Medaka Association. New breeds are created every year and continue to increase.

Breeds can be broadly categorized along the following four axes:

① Body Color Black, white, blue, red, orange, yellow, etc. Countless color variations are born from combinations of body color genes.

② Body Shape Normal body shape, Daruma body shape, Half-Daruma body shape. Daruma medaka are characterized by their unique silhouette with a short, rounded body.

③ Fin Shape Normal fins, long fins, Matsui long fins, Tennyo no Mai (Maiden's Dance), etc. The longer the fins, the more elegant the impression.

④ Luster, Lame, Extrusion of Light (Taikou) Depending on how the body surface shines, varieties such as Miyuki (extrusion of light), Lame, Aurora, and Kaname are born.

Through these combinations, composite breeds such as "Kuro Lame Miyuki," "Kohaku Daruma," and "Aurora Lame Long Fin" are created.

Breeder's Comment (Sano) "The names of breeds may seem difficult at first, but once you learn the three axes of body color, body shape, and luster, you can organize them all at once. The best way to start is to choose based on what you find 'cute'."

 

---

 

2. Recommended Medaka Breeds for Beginners

For those raising medaka for the first time, we recommend starting with hardy and easy-to-care-for breeds.

Black Medaka

Black medaka are improved varieties of Japanese wild medaka and are one of the hardiest breeds. They are resistant to environmental changes, making them easy for beginners to care for without failure. Their simple black body color also stands out beautifully in aquascaped tanks.

→ Black Medaka Details & Live Sales Here

 

---

 

Miyuki Medaka (Kaname Medaka)

Miyuki medaka are one of the most famous breeds among improved medaka. The blue-white luminescence (taikou) running along their backs varies by grade and is classified into "weak light," "strong light," "full taikou," and "super light."

They are easy for beginners to keep and offer a good balance of visual beauty and price.

→ Miyuki Medaka Details & Live Sales Here

 

---

 

Lame Medaka

Lame medaka are characterized by sparkling lame (glowing scales) scattered across their bodies, which glitter when they catch the light. Depending on the amount and color of the lame and the combination of breeds, various varieties exist, such as Aurora Lame, Kuro Lame Miyuki, and Kohaku Lame.

Breeder's Comment (Sano) "Lame medaka truly sparkle beautifully when exposed to sunlight in an outdoor container. We recommend outdoor breeding rather than indoor."

→ Lame Medaka Details & Live Sales Here

 

---

 

3. Popular Breeds Ranking | Classic Medaka Summary

Daruma Medaka

Daruma medaka are characterized by their body being about half the length of normal medaka, giving them a rounded silhouette. Their adorable appearance makes them consistently popular.

They are not strong swimmers, so care must be taken with strong water currents and low temperatures. Compared to other medaka, they are slightly more challenging to keep, but it's not a problem once you get used to them.

→ Daruma Medaka Details & Live Sales Here

 

---

 

Kohaku Medaka

Kohaku medaka are a breed with red (vermilion) patterns on a white background. Each individual has a unique pattern, offering one-of-a-kind beauty. They possess the high-class feel of Nishikigoi and are highly popular among collectors.

→ Kohaku Medaka Details & Live Sales Here

 

---

 

White Medaka

White medaka is a general term for breeds with a white body color. There are many derivative breeds such as Shiro Miyuki, Shirahime, and Shiro Long Fin, and their clean appearance makes them popular with women. Although sometimes said to be "weak," they can be kept without problems in proper breeding environments.

 

---

 

Blue Medaka / Blue Miyuki

Blue medaka is a general term for breeds that appear blue to light blue in body color. Popular varieties include Aomiyuki, Aogan, and Ao Lame Miyuki, and their cool atmosphere, especially in summer, is a major attraction.

 

---

 

4. High-End Medaka & Rare Breeds List

In the world of medaka, there are also high-end breeds that cost several thousand to tens of thousands of yen per fish. The main reasons for their high price are "low fixation rate," "difficulty in creation," and "low circulation."

Albino Medaka

Albino medaka lack melanin pigment, so their bodies are translucent white and their eyes appear red. They are sensitive to light and difficult to keep, but their rarity makes them highly popular.

 

---

 

Amber Medaka / Amber Lame

Amber medaka are characterized by their yellow to brown body color, and when they have lame, they are called "Amber Lame." Their warm colors, reminiscent of autumn leaves, are popular, and their popularity has been growing in recent years.

→ Amber Medaka Details Here

 

---

 

Totenko Medaka / Totenko Medaka