All fish / Adrianichthyidae

Javanese ricefish

Oryzias javanicus

Also known as javanese rice fish, javanese medaka, java medaka, ricefish, javanicus ricefish, ikan mata putih, ジャワメダカ, ikan padi, wader pari, 爪哇青鳉, 爪哇稻田鱼

A small, slender ricefish with a translucent pearly body, large eyes with a bright blue sheen, and pale edges to the tail fin. It is hardy, peaceful and lively near the surface, which makes it a good choice for small community or brackish set-ups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

22 to 30 °C

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small flakes, micro pellets, brine shrimp, daphnia and other small live or frozen foods

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Peninsular Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia east to Lombok and Sulawesi

Breeding

Females carry a cluster of eggs at the vent for a while before brushing them onto plants or spawning mops. Breeding is easy in captivity, and the eggs and fry are best moved to a separate tank because the adults may eat them.

Good to know

It is sold as a freshwater fish and copes in hard fresh water, but in the wild it mostly lives in brackish coastal waters and mangroves, so a little salt suits it well. Keep it with other small, calm fish and use a tight lid, because it can jump.