Ricefish Care Sheet

Updated on July 28, 2022
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Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Appearance & behavior | Characteristics | Habitat | Feeding | Care | Recommended supplies | Recommended tank mates | Common health issues | FAQs

 

This care sheet covers a variety of Ricefish species, including:  

  • Daisy Blue
  • Youkihi 
  • Red & White Medaka
  • Galaxy 
  • Java
  • Matano 
  • Celebes
  • Indian 
Ricefish care

Overview

Scientific names: Oryzias woworae, Oryzias latipes, Oryzias javanicus, Oryzias matanensis, Oryzias celebensis, Oryzias dancena

These tiny fish get their unique name due to some species being found in shallow rice paddies. Due to their natural environment, they prefer slower moving water without strong filtration. They are native to Japan, Southeast Asia, Indonesia and India. Ricefish have a long scientific history and have even racked up some frequent flier miles, making a trip to space in 1994. This species is known for being the first vertebrate to produce offspring in space, and there is still a small group of them on the International Space Station. Ricefish are phenomenal jumpers, so a secure cover is recommended. This peaceful, schooling species will do well in a community aquarium with species with similar temperaments.

Typical appearance and behavior

  • Can be found in both freshwater and brackish environments
  • Females are generally a bit larger than males
  • Males are typically more colorful than females
  • Have an unusual protruding lower jaw
  • Males typically have longer dorsal and anal fins
  • Omnivores
  • Active schooling species
  • Does best in small groups

Characteristics

Care Difficulty Ranges from beginner to intermediate, depending on species
Average Life Span Up to 2 to 5 years when properly cared for
Average Adult Size 1–2.5 inches long, depending on species
Diet Omnivore
Minimum Habitat Size 10+ gallons
Water Temperature 64–75°F

Habitat 

Habitat size

Keep in an appropriately sized aquarium for the species selected, which can range from 10 gallons for smaller species to a much larger aquarium for larger schools. 

Building your habitat

  • Water health 
    • Provide proper filtration to ensure optimal water quality to help maintain health; low water circulation should be provided to mimic the water currents and high oxygen levels found in the Ricefish’s natural habitat
    • Stable water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and water temperature are critical to the health of aquatic life; if you are unsure of your water quality, bring a sample to Petco for free testing
    • Use an aquatic heater  to stabilize water temperature and ensure it does not fluctuate more than 2 degrees in either direction in a 24-hour period
    • Ricefish will benefit from the addition of freshwater salt to the aquarium. The specific gravity should be kept at 1.004; do not allow specific gravity to fluctuate more than 0.001 in either direction in a 24-hour period
  • Décor
    • Provide plenty of space for swimming, as well as plants, rocks or décor for hiding places

Feeding 

A well-balanced Ricefish diet consists of:

  • Small pellets or flake foods
  • Brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, daphina (live, freeze-dried, or frozen), fruit flies
  • Biofilm 

Things to remember when feeding your Ricefish:

  • Feed small amounts two to three times daily, no more than your fish will eat in 1–2 minutes
  • Thaw frozen food before feeding

Ricefish care

  • Maintaining great water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration is important to help keep your Ricefish healthy
    • Daily: Check filter, water temperature and other equipment
    • Weekly: Test water quality at least once a week
    • Weekly to monthly: Change 10–25% of the total volume of water every 2–4 weeks, or as needed; change filter media monthly
  • Avoid overcrowded conditions, which are a major cause of stress and disease

Where to buy Ricefish

Various Ricefish are available for purchase at Petco online and in store; availability varies by location. If visiting your local Petco Pet Care Center location, please call ahead to check availability.

Ricefish supplies 

Tank mates 

Ricefish are peaceful and can be kept with community fish of similar size and temperament. 

Health 

Signs of a healthy fish

  • Clear eyes
  • Eats vigorously
  • Good coloration
  • Free of parasites or disease

Red flags (if you notice any of these signs, contact your local aquatic specialist or veterinarian)

  • Loss of color or appetite
  • Spots or fungus on body or mouth
  • Cloudy eyes or pop-eye
  • Listlessness
  • Labored breathing
  • Erratic swimming
  • Weight loss
  • Bloating
  • Frayed or discolored fins

Common health issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health IssueFin rot Symptoms or CausesFrayed or disintegrating fins; the base of the fins usually reddens. Suggested ActionImprove water quality; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment.
Health IssueBacterial infections Symptoms or CausesCloudy eyes, open sores and/or reddening of the skin Suggested ActionImprove water quality; add or slightly increase freshwater aquarium salt level; use a commercial antibacterial remedy as directed; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment
Health IssueIch Symptoms or CausesWhite spots appear on fins and body; fish rubs against hard objects or swims erratically. Rapid respiration. Suggested ActionQuarantine fish immediately; add freshwater aquarium salt and use commercial ich remedy as directed. Consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian.
Health IssueCottonmouth or Columnaris Symptoms or CausesCottony white growths along the body and/or gills, frayed fins and gills turn brown and necrotic in late stages; caused by bacterial infection. Suggested ActionQuarantine fish; improve water quality; lower aquarium temperature to 72°F to deter bacteria from growing; medicate as directed; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment.
FAQs

Ricefish can live up to 5 years when properly cared for. 

Ricefish should be provided with a variety of flakes, small pellets, freeze-dried, frozen or live foods and biofilm.

Ricefish are peaceful and can live with other appropriately sized fish of similar temperament, if the aquarium is large enough.

There are roughly 37 species of ricefish.

Ricefish average 1 to 2.5”, depending on species.

Notes and resources

Ask a Pet Care Center store employee about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all aquatic life are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as atypical mycobacterium and salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your aquatic life and/or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of diseases.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing and/or caring for aquatic life and should consider not having aquatic life as a pet.

Go to the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about aquatic life and disease.

The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

 

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