Kihire Orochi Medaka (黄鰭オロチ)

A bold contrast of darkness and gold

Overview

The Kihire Orochi Medaka (黄鰭オロチ) is a striking ornamental medaka known for its intense black body and vibrant yellow fins. The name translates to “Yellow-Fin Orochi,” and the visual impact of this color combination is both elegant and powerful. It is a unique development based on the popular Orochi Medaka line, adding a bright twist to an otherwise shadowy palette.

Key Features

• Body Color: Deep, non-fading jet black — inherited from the original Orochi line
• Fin Color: Bright yellow or golden fins that contrast dramatically with the dark body
• Fin Shape: Standard length — not elongated, maintaining a compact silhouette

This fish is highly appreciated for its top-view beauty, especially when kept in white or light-colored containers where its colors stand out vividly.

How It Differs from Satan Medaka

While both Kihire Orochi and Satan Medaka are derived from black-bodied lines, they are completely different in appearance and lineage:

• Satan Medaka (サタンメダカ) is a long-fin variety developed by crossing Orochi Medaka with Real Long Fin medaka. It features flowing, extended fins and may have darker or muted fin colors.
• Kihire Orochi, on the other hand, is focused on color contrast, not fin length. It retains the standard fin shape but showcases bright yellow fins, giving a cleaner and more striking look.

In short:
🖤 Satan = Long fins, dark elegance
🖤💛 Kihire Orochi = Normal fins, bold color contrast

Breeding Notes

Maintaining the vivid yellow fin color while preserving the Orochi’s black body requires careful selective breeding. Offspring may show variation in fin color intensity or transparency, so continued line breeding is essential for quality.

Conclusion

The Kihire Orochi Medaka offers a unique visual balance between darkness and light. With its clean form and vibrant accent, it’s perfect for collectors who want contrast, elegance, and a touch of gold in their medaka collection — all without the complexity of long-fin care.

Sources / 出典

• Medaka no Yakata Blog – 黄鰭オロチについて
• Medaka Zukan – サタンメダカ