Today’s topic is about the lifespan of Medaka.

Typically, the average lifespan of Medaka is known to be 1-2 years. Depending on the keeper’s method, they can live up to 1 year or even 3 years (3 seasons).

The general method for most keepers is indoor keeping.

Speaking of lifespan in relation to indoor keeping:

When kept indoors, even in winter, the average temperature is higher compared to outdoors. Nowadays, many people prefer Medaka with beautiful lateral lines, so even in winter, artificial heating using heaters is common.

Refer to the indoor keeping section below.

Naturally, Medaka begin transitioning to a hibernation rhythm as daylight hours decrease entering autumn, ceasing spawning and preparing for hibernation. During this period, you may lose a few Medaka. There are various reasons for this, but as has been discussed extensively, just like people experience weakened immune systems during the transition from hot summer to cold autumn, leading to more colds and flu, Medaka also experience a decrease in resistance to fungi and parasites. This leads to issues with outbreaks and susceptibility to lower temperatures, especially for individuals that have not experienced temperature swings.

Indoor Keeping:

When the water temperature rises in winter, instead of transitioning to a hibernation rhythm for winter, activity increases even in winter. Without resting, they continue swimming and maintain high levels of activity, and consequently, feeding responses are also maintained continuously. Feeding naturally increases, and if spawning activity also occurs, the lifespan of Medaka inevitably shortens. However, one advantage of indoor keeping in winter is that with proper conditions, breeding can be carried out continuously even in winter for crosses and rapid generation turnover.

Outdoor Keeping:

During outdoor keeping, Medaka naturally experience the four seasons and feel temperature swings. They live with rhythms suitable for each season of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. A transition to hibernation mode from autumn occurs naturally, and during the winter season, only the minimum amount of energy is consumed, resting under the ice in cold water. Consequently, with minimal energy consumption for basic activities and no energy consumption for spawning activity, lifespan naturally increases.

However, even individuals that hatch and grow well outdoors ultimately do not have a 100% survival rate during hibernation preparation and hibernation. Therefore, before entering autumn, it is necessary to conduct appropriate quarantine and prepare for winter according to the location of the breeding container to successfully complete hibernation without any failures during winter.

Common Tips:

To extend the lifespan of Medaka in a healthy way, in summer, prevent high water temperatures from lasting for a long time, and during winter hibernation, it is good to provide stable feeding by putting water fleas instead of powdered feed if the water does not freeze.

Today’s content is not simply about hibernation and winter keeping, but rather about understanding the overall concept of Medaka lifespan. This is within the realm of the keeper’s direction and focus, rather than what is right or wrong. It will be helpful in grasping the cycle of Medaka care and spawning.

The spawning season is here now! I hope everyone has a fruitful spawning season!

#lifespanmedaka