Hadiatya's Medaka

Oryzias hadiatyae is one of the more recently described ricefish from Sulawesi, named in honour of an Indonesian ichthyologist. Males develop an attractive copper-gold body sheen with metallic scale reflections, making this a visually appealing representative of the Sulawesi Oryzias radiation. It inhabits lake systems with characteristically high pH and hardness.

This species is kept by a small number of dedicated Oryzias specialists in Europe and Asia. Its care requirements match those of other Sulawesian medaka: warm, hard, alkaline water is mandatory. The fish is peaceful and active, best displayed in a school against a dark substrate and background that enhances its metallic colouration.

Breeding is achievable in well-maintained aquariums. The eggs are robust and easy to collect and hatch separately. Fry grow quickly on micro nauplii and fine powdered foods.

Water: 25-30°C, pH 7.5-8.5, hard (GH 12-20) — Sulawesi lake parameters required. Tank: 30-40 L species biotope with alkaline substrate (crushed coral) and moderate planting. Feeding: micro pellets, nauplii, daphnia — accepts a variety of small foods. Breeding: egg scatterer; females carry eggs briefly; straightforward once water is correct. Compatibility: ideal in Sulawesi species biotope; peaceful with all similarly sized species.