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Sapphire Medaka – サファイアメダカ
Shining like a gemstone in the water, with bold contrast and brilliant blue sparkle
Physical Characteristics
The Sapphire Medaka is a stunning ornamental strain that pairs a jet-black body with radiant blue lamé (glittering scales), making it one of the most visually striking medaka varieties available. Named after the vivid gemstone, its glow is unmistakable, especially when viewed from above.
- Body Color: Solid black base that enhances the contrast of blue iridescence
- Lamé (Glittering Scales): Densely scattered, sapphire-blue lamé that sparkles vividly in light
- Fin Structure: Originally dorsal finless (Ranchū body type), but now available in both dorsal finless and dorsal finned versions
- Scale Type: Standard (non-transparent), which helps retain vivid coloration and strong lamé presentation
- Viewing Appeal: The sparkle is most impressive from a top view, where the lamé appears as if it’s floating over the body
Recommended Container & Viewing Style
- Container Color: Dark-colored or black-bottom containers are ideal. These enhance the reflective blue lamé and prevent the black base from appearing dull due to background adaptation
- Viewing Style: Sapphire Medaka are best appreciated from above (top-view). The lamé is most vibrant when light hits from above, and dorsal finless individuals provide a smooth, uninterrupted silhouette that enhances the shine
Origin and Development
- Year of Development: 2020
- Original Breeder (作出者): Seiraku-an (静楽庵)
The Sapphire Medaka was developed by selectively breeding Black Lamé Miyuki (黒ラメ幹之) fish that exhibited hints of blue glitter. Through meticulous multi-generational breeding, Seiraku-an successfully established a line with consistent blue lamé expression. The result was the first widely recognized color-specific lamé medaka. It quickly inspired breeders to explore other hues of lamé in future varieties.
Breeding Notes
- Fixation Rate: High—most offspring exhibit the signature black base and sapphire-blue lamé
- Line Breeding Potential: To refine traits such as dorsal fin presence, body balance, or lamé density
- Color Maintenance: Keeping fish in shaded or dark environments helps preserve their color intensity
Derived Varieties (Variants)
The development of the Sapphire Medaka inspired several derivative strains, each building on its deep color and shimmer:
- Black Diamond (ブラックダイヤ): A cross between Sapphire and Hoshikawa Medaka, featuring sapphire-blue lamé with a brighter black or gray body
- Aurora Sapphire (オーロラサファイア): Incorporates the Aurora gene, adding soft transparency and shimmer, often with a bluish overlay
- Reiwa Kuro Rame Miyuki Sapphire (令和黒ラメ幹之サファイア系): Combines Sapphire traits with the Reiwa gene to enhance fin coloration (Hirebi), especially yellow and red in semi-transparent scaled lines
These related varieties demonstrate the genetic flexibility and enduring popularity of the Sapphire line.
Conclusion
The Sapphire Medaka is a gem in the world of Japanese rice fish. With its black body and vibrant blue shine, it delivers elegance, contrast, and modern flair. As the first officially recognized color-specific lamé medaka, it set a new benchmark in medaka breeding and continues to inspire new varieties. Whether for top-view displays or selective breeding projects, the Sapphire Medaka brings unmatched beauty and depth to any collection.
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