Deep-water Sulawesi Medaka

Oryzias profundicola is a rarely collected ricefish from the deeper zones of Lake Matano in South Sulawesi. Its name refers to its preference for cooler, deeper water compared to surface-dwelling congeners. The fish is pale silvery-white with minimal patterning, reflecting its adaptation to deeper, dimmer water. It is one of the most unusual and rarely kept members of the genus.

In the aquarium, O. profundicola requires the same pristine, moderately hard, alkaline water chemistry as other Lake Matano endemics. Maintaining very low nitrates and high dissolved oxygen is especially important. The species remains very scarce in the hobby, making any captive specimens extremely valuable.

Breeding accounts are very limited but the fish appears to follow standard Oryzias breeding behaviour. Aquarists fortunate enough to obtain this species are encouraged to prioritise establishing a self-sustaining captive population.

Water: 26-30°C, pH 7.5-8.5, hard and very clean (GH 10-18) — premium water quality critical. Tank: 40 L species tank with high oxygenation, clean substrate, and no organic build-up. Feeding: micro granules, baby brine shrimp, and daphnia nauplii. Breeding: standard egg-scattering; condition with live foods. Compatibility: species-only; share only with other Lake Matano endemics.