Medaka Encyclopedia

Welcome to our Medaka Encyclopedia – your complete guide to Japanese rice fish (Oryzias latipes).

Toxic Truth: Why You Should Avoid Silver & Microplastics

Toxic Truth: Why You Should Avoid Silver & Microplastics Toxic Truth: Why You Should Avoid Silver & Microplastics Recent studies on medaka fish (Oryzias spp.) reveal that silver and microplastics—found in everyday items—can seriously harm aquatic life. These findings offer a powerful reason to rethink our daily purchases. 🔬 Scientific Evidence 1. Silver Disrupts Osmoregulation Exposure to silver impairs medaka fish’s ability to balance salt and water—a process essential for survival during salinity changes. (Aquatic Toxicology, 2023) 2. Silver Increases Stress Under Salinity Shifts A 2024 follow-up study confirmed that silver exposure intensifies physiological stress, especially when environmental conditions fluctuate. 3. Microplastics Damage Eyes and Behavior Research on marine medaka (Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2024) found that micro- and nanoplastics, especially when coated with biofilms, cause severe eye malformations, vision loss, and behavioral abnormalities. 🚫 Products to Avoid Antibacterial clothing with nano-silver Toothpaste, soap, and cosmetics with silver particles Products containing microbeads (scrubs, cleansers) Polystyrene containers (e.g., Styrofoam) Polyester/nylon clothing that releases microfibers Single-use plastics (straws, cups, cutlery) ✅ Better Choices Natural fiber clothing (cotton, hemp) Glass or stainless steel containers Scrubs with sugar, salt, or oatmeal Microplastic-free certified cosmetics 🌊 What It Means Even small amounts of silver or plastic can disrupt fish biology. If medaka—a model species—are affected, our larger ecosystems could be next. Choosing safer products is a small but powerful act of environmental protection. 🔗 References Leaf et al. (2023). “Exposure to silver impairs the osmoregulatory capability of euryhaline medaka.” Aquatic Toxicology. Follow-up study (2024). “Silver increases stress sensitivity under salinity changes in medaka.” Aquatic Toxicology. Ma et al. (2024). “Aggravated visual toxicity of eco-corona on micro(nano)plastics in marine medaka.” Journal of Hazardous Materials.

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Life History Traits of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes): Growth, Reproduction & Survival

Life-History Characteristics of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes) A simplified guide based on the 2011 Copeia study by Leaf et al. Overview This study examined the full life cycle of Japanese medaka, including how they grow, reproduce, and how their eggs hatch. Medaka are a widely used model organism in biology, toxicology, and environmental science. Understanding their natural patterns helps researchers design more accurate experiments. Lab Conditions Water temperature: 77°F (25°C) Light cycle: 16 hours light, 8 hours dark Feeding: Twice daily Sample size: 300 individuals monitored from hatch to death Growth Maximum length: About 1.95 inches (49.5 mm) Estimated lifespan: 347 to 485 days (approximately 1 to 1.3 years) Growth pattern: Rapid early growth, slower as they age Survivorship Most medaka died early in life, and mortality increased again after they started reproducing. This pattern is called a Type III survivorship curve, which is common among small fish species. Reproduction (Fecundity) Age at first spawning: Around 68 days Peak daily egg production: Up to 48 eggs per day, typically around 92 days old Total eggs per female: Between 38 and 141 Spawning duration: Around 57 days Average egg diameter: 0.043 inches (1.08 mm) Fish that laid more eggs tended to have smaller eggs, suggesting a tradeoff between quantity and size. Egg Hatching 50% of eggs hatched by: 3.5 days 99% of eggs hatched by: 7.5 days Average hatching success rate: 73% (range: 53% to 93%) Conclusion This research provides valuable baseline data on medaka development and reproduction. Their rapid maturity, small size, and high reproductive rate make them ideal for laboratory studies, especially in environmental and chemical research. Reference Leaf, R.T., Jiao, Y., Murphy, B.R., et al. (2011). Life-History Characteristics of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes). Copeia, 2011(4), 559–565. Tags: medaka, oryzias latipes, fish breeding, growth rate, fecundity, egg hatching, model organism, life history traits, ecotoxicology

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Toxic Truth: Why You Should Avoid Silver & Microplastics

Toxic Truth: Why You Should Avoid Silver & Microplastics Toxic Truth: Why You Should Avoid Silver & Microplastics Recent studies on medaka fish (Oryzias spp.) reveal that silver and microplastics—found in everyday items—can seriously harm aquatic life. These findings offer a powerful reason to rethink our daily purchases. 🔬 Scientific Evidence 1. Silver Disrupts Osmoregulation Exposure to silver impairs medaka fish’s ability to balance salt and water—a process essential for survival during salinity changes. (Aquatic Toxicology, 2023) 2. Silver Increases Stress Under Salinity Shifts A 2024 follow-up study confirmed that silver exposure intensifies physiological stress, especially when environmental conditions fluctuate. 3. Microplastics Damage Eyes and Behavior Research on marine medaka (Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2024) found that micro- and nanoplastics, especially when coated with biofilms, cause severe eye malformations, vision loss, and behavioral abnormalities. 🚫 Products to Avoid Antibacterial clothing with nano-silver Toothpaste, soap, and cosmetics with silver particles Products containing microbeads (scrubs, cleansers) Polystyrene containers (e.g., Styrofoam) Polyester/nylon clothing that releases microfibers Single-use plastics (straws, cups, cutlery) ✅ Better Choices Natural fiber clothing (cotton, hemp) Glass or stainless steel containers Scrubs with sugar, salt, or oatmeal Microplastic-free certified cosmetics 🌊 What It Means Even small amounts of silver or plastic can disrupt fish biology. If medaka—a model species—are affected, our larger ecosystems could be next. Choosing safer products is a small but powerful act of environmental protection. 🔗 References Leaf et al. (2023). “Exposure to silver impairs the osmoregulatory capability of euryhaline medaka.” Aquatic Toxicology. Follow-up study (2024). “Silver increases stress sensitivity under salinity changes in medaka.” Aquatic Toxicology. Ma et al. (2024). “Aggravated visual toxicity of eco-corona on micro(nano)plastics in marine medaka.” Journal of Hazardous Materials.

Read More »

Life History Traits of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes): Growth, Reproduction & Survival

Life-History Characteristics of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes) A simplified guide based on the 2011 Copeia study by Leaf et al. Overview This study examined the full life cycle of Japanese medaka, including how they grow, reproduce, and how their eggs hatch. Medaka are a widely used model organism in biology, toxicology, and environmental science. Understanding their natural patterns helps researchers design more accurate experiments. Lab Conditions Water temperature: 77°F (25°C) Light cycle: 16 hours light, 8 hours dark Feeding: Twice daily Sample size: 300 individuals monitored from hatch to death Growth Maximum length: About 1.95 inches (49.5 mm) Estimated lifespan: 347 to 485 days (approximately 1 to 1.3 years) Growth pattern: Rapid early growth, slower as they age Survivorship Most medaka died early in life, and mortality increased again after they started reproducing. This pattern is called a Type III survivorship curve, which is common among small fish species. Reproduction (Fecundity) Age at first spawning: Around 68 days Peak daily egg production: Up to 48 eggs per day, typically around 92 days old Total eggs per female: Between 38 and 141 Spawning duration: Around 57 days Average egg diameter: 0.043 inches (1.08 mm) Fish that laid more eggs tended to have smaller eggs, suggesting a tradeoff between quantity and size. Egg Hatching 50% of eggs hatched by: 3.5 days 99% of eggs hatched by: 7.5 days Average hatching success rate: 73% (range: 53% to 93%) Conclusion This research provides valuable baseline data on medaka development and reproduction. Their rapid maturity, small size, and high reproductive rate make them ideal for laboratory studies, especially in environmental and chemical research. Reference Leaf, R.T., Jiao, Y., Murphy, B.R., et al. (2011). Life-History Characteristics of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes). Copeia, 2011(4), 559–565. Tags: medaka, oryzias latipes, fish breeding, growth rate, fecundity, egg hatching, model organism, life history traits, ecotoxicology

Read More »

Toxic Truth: Why You Should Avoid Silver & Microplastics

Toxic Truth: Why You Should Avoid Silver & Microplastics Toxic Truth: Why You Should Avoid Silver & Microplastics Recent studies on medaka fish (Oryzias spp.) reveal that silver and microplastics—found in everyday items—can seriously harm aquatic life. These findings offer a powerful reason to rethink our daily purchases. 🔬 Scientific Evidence 1. Silver Disrupts Osmoregulation Exposure to silver impairs medaka fish’s ability to balance salt and water—a process essential for survival during salinity changes. (Aquatic Toxicology, 2023) 2. Silver Increases Stress Under Salinity Shifts A 2024 follow-up study confirmed that silver exposure intensifies physiological stress, especially when environmental conditions fluctuate. 3. Microplastics Damage Eyes and Behavior Research on marine medaka (Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2024) found that micro- and nanoplastics, especially when coated with biofilms, cause severe eye malformations, vision loss, and behavioral abnormalities. 🚫 Products to Avoid Antibacterial clothing with nano-silver Toothpaste, soap, and cosmetics with silver particles Products containing microbeads (scrubs, cleansers) Polystyrene containers (e.g., Styrofoam) Polyester/nylon clothing that releases microfibers Single-use plastics (straws, cups, cutlery) ✅ Better Choices Natural fiber clothing (cotton, hemp) Glass or stainless steel containers Scrubs with sugar, salt, or oatmeal Microplastic-free certified cosmetics 🌊 What It Means Even small amounts of silver or plastic can disrupt fish biology. If medaka—a model species—are affected, our larger ecosystems could be next. Choosing safer products is a small but powerful act of environmental protection. 🔗 References Leaf et al. (2023). “Exposure to silver impairs the osmoregulatory capability of euryhaline medaka.” Aquatic Toxicology. Follow-up study (2024). “Silver increases stress sensitivity under salinity changes in medaka.” Aquatic Toxicology. Ma et al. (2024). “Aggravated visual toxicity of eco-corona on micro(nano)plastics in marine medaka.” Journal of Hazardous Materials.

Read More »

Life History Traits of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes): Growth, Reproduction & Survival

Life-History Characteristics of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes) A simplified guide based on the 2011 Copeia study by Leaf et al. Overview This study examined the full life cycle of Japanese medaka, including how they grow, reproduce, and how their eggs hatch. Medaka are a widely used model organism in biology, toxicology, and environmental science. Understanding their natural patterns helps researchers design more accurate experiments. Lab Conditions Water temperature: 77°F (25°C) Light cycle: 16 hours light, 8 hours dark Feeding: Twice daily Sample size: 300 individuals monitored from hatch to death Growth Maximum length: About 1.95 inches (49.5 mm) Estimated lifespan: 347 to 485 days (approximately 1 to 1.3 years) Growth pattern: Rapid early growth, slower as they age Survivorship Most medaka died early in life, and mortality increased again after they started reproducing. This pattern is called a Type III survivorship curve, which is common among small fish species. Reproduction (Fecundity) Age at first spawning: Around 68 days Peak daily egg production: Up to 48 eggs per day, typically around 92 days old Total eggs per female: Between 38 and 141 Spawning duration: Around 57 days Average egg diameter: 0.043 inches (1.08 mm) Fish that laid more eggs tended to have smaller eggs, suggesting a tradeoff between quantity and size. Egg Hatching 50% of eggs hatched by: 3.5 days 99% of eggs hatched by: 7.5 days Average hatching success rate: 73% (range: 53% to 93%) Conclusion This research provides valuable baseline data on medaka development and reproduction. Their rapid maturity, small size, and high reproductive rate make them ideal for laboratory studies, especially in environmental and chemical research. Reference Leaf, R.T., Jiao, Y., Murphy, B.R., et al. (2011). Life-History Characteristics of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes). Copeia, 2011(4), 559–565. Tags: medaka, oryzias latipes, fish breeding, growth rate, fecundity, egg hatching, model organism, life history traits, ecotoxicology

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Lumina Medaka

Lumina Medaka (ルミナメダカ) – A New Star Among Japanese Rice Fish The Lumina Medaka (ルミナメダカ) is an exciting new ornamental

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Fromage Medaka

Fromage Medaka (プロマージュ) – The Soft Glow of Refinement The Fromage medaka (プロマージュ) is an exquisite Japanese rice fish variety

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Yokihi Albino Medaka

Youkihi Albino Medaka (楊貴妃アルビノ) – The Charm of Crimson and Light The Youkihi Albino medaka (楊貴妃アルビノ) is a stunning Japanese

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