How to Aquascape a Ricefish Medaka Display Tank: Surface and Shade
Ricefish, known as medaka (Oryzias latipes and related species), have surged in popularity across Asia, and Singapore is no exception. These surface-dwelling fish deserve a tank designed around their habits rather than a generic community setup. This aquascape guide for a ricefish medaka display tank focuses on surface planting, gentle flow, and the dappled light that brings out their best colours. Gensou Aquascaping in Singapore has built dedicated medaka displays for hobbyists and breeders alike, and the design principles are refreshingly simple.
Understanding Medaka Behaviour
Medaka spend most of their time in the upper third of the water column. They feed at the surface, breed at the surface, and display their colours best when viewed from above or at eye level with floating vegetation behind them. A well-designed medaka tank prioritises this top zone rather than elaborate substrate-level scaping.
They prefer calm water. Strong currents exhaust these small fish and scatter their adhesive egg clusters, reducing breeding success.
Tank Shape and Size
Shallow, wide tanks are ideal. A footprint of 45 x 30 cm or larger with a water depth of 15-25 cm gives medaka ample horizontal swimming space while keeping the surface close to your eye level. Rimless low-profile tanks and even large shallow bowls work well. For a colony of 8-12 medaka, a volume of 20-40 litres is comfortable.
Substrate and Hardscape
Keep the bottom simple. Fine sand or a thin layer of aqua soil, 1-2 cm, provides just enough base for a few rooted plants without encouraging you to overcomplicate the lower zone. Small pieces of driftwood or a few river pebbles give the tank structure and provide shaded resting spots, but the main visual interest should be at the surface, not the substrate.
Avoid tall, dense hardscape that blocks the overhead view if you plan to observe from above, which is the traditional Japanese way of appreciating medaka.
Surface and Floating Plants
This is where the design comes alive. Salvinia minima, Limnobium laevigatum (Amazon frogbit), and Phyllanthus fluitans (red root floater) create a partial canopy that medaka weave through. Cover about 40-50% of the surface, leaving open patches for feeding and light. Floating plants also provide attachment points for medaka eggs. Females carry fertilised eggs on their bellies before depositing them on fine-leaved surfaces.
Riccia fluitans, left floating rather than tied down, is an excellent spawning medium. Its fine branching structure catches and holds eggs securely.
Submerged Plants for Contrast
A few low-growing submerged plants add depth without competing with the surface focus. Cryptocoryne parva, Helanthium tenellum, or a small patch of Eleocharis parvula along the front glass provides greenery at the bottom without reaching high enough to clutter the medaka’s swimming zone. Mosses attached to driftwood fill the mid-ground naturally.
Lighting for Colour Display
Medaka colour morphs, including Miyuki (metallic), Youkihi (orange), and Black Lame, look most vivid under moderate, warm-toned lighting. A 6,500-7,000K LED fixture at moderate intensity highlights the iridescent scales that make these fish so prized. Avoid harsh, cool-white lights that wash out warm tones. Run lights for 8-10 hours to support plant growth and give the fish a natural photoperiod.
Filtration and Flow
Gentle filtration is essential. A small sponge filter powered by an air pump provides biological filtration with minimal surface disturbance. If you prefer a hang-on-back or mini canister, baffle the outlet with a piece of sponge or point it against the glass to dissipate flow. Target a turnover of 3-5 times per hour. Medaka are not strong swimmers, and eggs dislodge in turbulent water.
Water Parameters and Singapore Suitability
Medaka tolerate a wide range: pH 6.5-8.0, GH 4-15, temperature 15-30 °C. Singapore’s ambient 28-30 °C sits comfortably within their range, and no heater or chiller is needed in most cases. PUB tap water, dechlorinated, works without adjustment. This hardiness is a major reason medaka have become so popular locally. An aquascape tailored to a ricefish medaka display showcases their surface-dwelling charm in a way that generic community tanks cannot. Gensou Aquascaping encourages Singapore hobbyists to explore the medaka hobby with a design that puts these little fish front and centre.
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