Saboten Medaka – サボテンメダカ

A radiant cactus-green medaka born from shimmering elegance and thoughtful lineage

Physical Characteristics
The Saboten Medaka is a captivating ornamental medaka variety known for its rare green coloration and brilliant lamé. Its name, “Saboten” (サボテン), meaning cactus in Japanese, reflects the fresh, vibrant green that makes this variety stand out in any pond or bowl.

• Body Color: Deep cactus-like green, more vivid than other green strains such as Ryokukō (緑光)
• Lamé (Glittering Scales): Dense and highly reflective lamé scattered across the body, contributing to a jewel-like sparkle
• Fin Structure: Longfin traits inherited from Midorikō Matsui Hirenaga lineage; graceful and symmetrical fin extension
• Scale Type: Semi-transparent to standard scale types depending on the line, offering layered depth and brilliance

Origin and Development

• Year of Development: 2021
• Original Breeder (作出者): Savanna (サバンナ)

Saboten Medaka was created by crossing the Midorikō Matsui Hirenaga (緑光松井ヒレ長), known for its green shine and long fins, with a white Ōka (王華) variant, known for its strong lamé expression. The aim was to achieve a well-balanced medaka with green lamé, stable coloration, and ornamental fin structure.

As a result, Saboten Medaka expresses a strong and uniform green tone with elegant lamé, and in many cases, displays solid fixation rates that are rare in newly developed lines.

Breeding Notes

• Offspring are relatively stable in expressing the signature green hue and glitter
• High-quality individuals should be selected based on lamé density and clarity of green base
• Optimal in white-bottom containers that enhance visibility of green and shine

Conclusion
The Saboten Medaka is a shining example of how creative pairing and precise selection can result in a medaka that feels entirely fresh, yet refined. With its rare green coloration, glittering scales, and elegant fins, it brings a touch of natural brilliance to any medaka collection.

Sources / 出典:

• サボテンとは – メダカの種類と特徴を写真付きで解説 | メダカタログ
• サボテンメダカの特徴や作出背景を解説！ – メダカ品種図鑑
• Photo courtesy of SAVANNA website