Medaka Terminology
Common Japanese medaka breeding, genetics, and hobby terminology.
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Page 1: A–F
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acquired Trait | 獲得形質 | Kakutoku Keishitsu | A characteristic that is not inherited by offspring. |
| Allelic Trait | 対立形質 | Tairitsu Keishitsu | Inherited traits that oppose each other as a pair. |
| Background Response | 背地反応 | Haichi Hannō | A reaction where medaka appear darker in black containers and lighter in white containers. |
| Black Chromatophore | 黒色素胞 | Kokushiki Sohō | Pigment cells responsible for black coloration. |
| Bloodline | 血統 | Kettō | Another term commonly used for lineage or strain line. |
| Breeding Coloration | 婚姻色 | Kon’inshoku | Stronger orange or reddish coloration during breeding season. |
| Breeding Cross | 交配 | Kōhai | Crossing medaka to create or improve varieties. |
| Carotenoid | カロテノイド | Karotenoido | A compound found in yellow pigment cells. |
| Characteristic | 特徴 | Tokuchō | Any feature different from wild medaka. |
| Chromatophore | 色素胞 | Shikisohō | Pigment cells that create body coloration. |
| Chromosome | 染色体 | Senshokutai | A structure formed by folded DNA. |
| Creation | 作出 | Sakushutsu | The creation or development of a new medaka variety. |
| DNA | DNA | Dī Enu Ē | The double-helix structure containing genetic information. |
| Dominant Trait | 優性形質 | Yūsei Keishitsu | A trait that appears when paired with a recessive trait. |
| Environmental Factor | 環境要因 | Kankyō Yōin | A feature affected by environmental conditions. |
| F1 Generation | F1 | Efuwan | The first generation produced from a breeding cross. |
Page 2: G–L
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gene | 遺伝子 | Idenshi | The part of DNA responsible for inherited traits. |
| Gene Locus | 遺伝子座 | Idenshi Za | The location of a gene on DNA. |
| Genetic Factor | 遺伝要因 | Iden Yōin | A feature determined through inheritance. |
| Genotype | 遺伝子型 | Idenshi Gata | The genetic composition of an individual. |
| Green Water | グリーンウォーター | Gurīn Wōtā | Water turned green from phytoplankton growth. |
| Heterozygous | ヘテロ | Hetero | An individual carrying two different alleles. |
| Homozygous | ホモ | Homo | An individual carrying two identical alleles. |
| House Name | ハウスネーム | Hausu Nēmu | A breeder name or sub-line name. |
| Hybrid Cross | 交雑 | Kōzatsu | A cross between different genotypes. |
| Incomplete Dominance | 不完全優性 | Fukanzen Yūsei | An intermediate trait expression in heterozygous combinations. |
| Inherited Trait | 遺伝形質 | Iden Keishitsu | A characteristic passed down genetically. |
| Iridophore | 虹色素胞 | Kōshiki Sohō | Reflective pigment cells producing metallic shine. |
| Juvenile Fish | 稚魚 | Chigyo | The stage after newly hatched fry. |
| Line Breeding | 累代 | Ruidai | Breeding over generations to maintain traits. |
Page 3: M–Y
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melanin | メラニン | Meranin | A compound found in black pigment granules. |
| Multiple Alleles | 複対立遺伝子 | Fukutairitsu Idenshi | Three or more alleles related to one trait. |
| New Variety | 新品種 | Shin Hinshu | A medaka with new inheritable traits. |
| Phenotype | 表現型 | Hyōgen Gata | The visible traits that actually appear. |
| Recessive Trait | 劣性形質 | Ressei Keishitsu | A trait hidden by a dominant trait. |
| Trait | 形質 | Keishitsu | A visible inherited characteristic. |
| Variety | 品種 | Hinshu | A group classified by distinct medaka characteristics. |
| Variety Name | 品種名 | Hinshu Mei | A name describing the traits of a medaka. |
| White Chromatophore | 白色素胞 | Hakushiki Sohō | Pigment cells creating white appearance through light scattering. |
| Yellow Chromatophore | 黄色素胞 | Ōshiki Sohō | Pigment cells responsible for yellow to orange coloration. |
Source & Translation Note SNR Medaka USA purchased the official English edition of 改良メダカ大図鑑 100年メダカ 2023 Vol.20 (MEDAKA COLLECTION Vol. 20 2023) published by Medaka no Yakata and is currently working on translating and organizing terminology for English-speaking hobbyists and breeders.
Many of the terms listed on this page are based on terminology and definitions introduced in that publication.
Medaka no Yakata also operates the online medaka encyclopedia Medaka Zukan, which serves as one of the major online references for Japanese medaka varieties and terminology.
Many of the terms listed on this page are based on terminology and definitions introduced in that publication.
Medaka no Yakata also operates the online medaka encyclopedia Medaka Zukan, which serves as one of the major online references for Japanese medaka varieties and terminology.
