Japanese Rice Fish (Medaka)メダカ
Oryzias latipesLC— Least Concern
The Japanese rice fish, or medaka (Oryzias latipes), is a small freshwater fish native to rice paddies, ponds, and marshes across Japan and more broadly East and Southeast Asia. Highly tolerant of temperature and salinity extremes, it is an important model organism in genetics research and became the first vertebrate known to mate in space, aboard Space Shuttle Columbia in 1994. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Japanese Rice Fish (Medaka) (reference photo)
Species Data
Did You Know?
- In 1994, medaka aboard Space Shuttle Columbia became the first vertebrates known to mate and lay eggs in orbit. Source
- Medaka recognize other individuals using facial visual cues and, like mammals, show the "inversion effect" when faces are turned upside down. Source
- Its well-developed kidney function gives it remarkable salt tolerance, allowing it to survive in seawater once acclimated. Source
Where to See This Species
7 facilities · 0 individuals
いしかわ動物園 (Ishikawa Doubutsuen)Ishikawa
いしかわ動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
かごしま水族館 (Kagoshima Suizokukan)Kagoshima鹿児島中央駅から市電（2系統）「水族館口」下車、徒歩8分。
かごしま水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
みなとやま水族館 (Minatoyama Suizokukan)HyogoOpened in 2022
みなとやま水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
京急油壺マリンパーク (Keikyuuaburatsubomarin Park)KanagawaOpened in 1968
京急油壺マリンパークのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
長崎ペンギン水族館 (Nagasakipengin Suizokukan)NagasakiOpened in 2001
長崎ペンギン水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
富山市ファミリーパーク (Toyamashifamiri Park)ToyamaOpened in 1984
富山市ファミリーパークのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937
名古屋市東山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
IUCNレッドリストではLC。水田・水路の改変、水質悪化、外来系統との交雑が保全上の課題となる。
Habitat
日本を含む東アジアの水田、用水路、池などの淡水域。
Threats
- 水田・水路の改変、水質悪化、外来系統との交雑
Conservation & Breeding Efforts
- 生息地の保全と個体群の継続的な把握
- 身近な淡水環境を伝える展示で飼育・繁殖され、卵から成魚までの生活史を観察しやすい。
Sources
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FAQ
- Why are medaka important to science?
- Their small genome, rapid breeding cycle, and tolerance of lab conditions make them a widely used model organism, and they were the first vertebrates known to mate in space. Source
- What do medaka eat?
- They are omnivorous, feeding on zooplankton such as water fleas, mosquito larvae, algae, and phytoplankton. Source
- Can medaka survive in salt water?
- Yes; their well-developed kidneys give them unusually high salt tolerance, letting them live in seawater once acclimated. Source
Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org