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Black medaka (Oryzias nigrimas) — Adrianichthyidae

Black medaka

Oryzias nigrimas

The Black medaka (Oryzias nigrimas) is a freshwater fish of the family Adrianichthyidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The black medaka is a small ricefish (Adrianichthyidae) endemic to Lake Poso on Sulawesi in Indonesia. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender body that in adults is strikingly dark to black. It lives in schools near the surface of the clear lake and eats small zooplankton, insects and larvae. The female carries the eggs for a time as a cluster at the belly. Through introduced species the Lake Poso ricefishes are under pressure. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black medaka?

The Black medaka has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly black.

Where does the Black medaka live?

The Black medaka lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Black medaka get?

The Black medaka grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Black medaka dangerous to humans?

No, the Black medaka is harmless to humans.

Is the Black medaka edible?

Yes, the Black medaka is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte medaka sourced
English name
Black medaka sourced
Scientific name
Oryzias nigrimas
Family
Adrianichthyidae
Other names
Black Buntingi; Black ricefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Oryzias

More from the family Adrianichthyidae

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