Seiga Medaka (星河メダカ) – A Serene Stream of Starlight

Seiga Medaka (星河メダカ), also known as Blue Lamé Miyuki (青ラメ幹之), is a poetic and visually captivating medaka variety. Its deep blue body shimmers with scattered lamé, evoking the tranquil beauty of a starlit river. As it swims under sunlight or LED lighting, its back glows like a moving galaxy, making it a top-view favorite among collectors.

🌌 Name Origin

The name “Seiga” (星河) translates to “Star River,” reflecting both its glittering dorsal lamé and its flowing, graceful appearance. True to its name, this medaka captures the visual calm of a summer night sky over water.

🧬 Origin & Development

• Year of Development: 2012
• Breeder (作出者): Toshihiro Wada (和田 敏弘)
• Lineage: Cross between White Lamé Miyuki (白ラメ幹之) and Blue Miyuki (青幹之)

Seiga was carefully bred to balance the rich blue tone of Blue Miyuki with the sparkle of lamé inherited from White Lamé Miyuki. After generations of selective refinement, the strain stabilized into one of the most elegant blue-based lamé varieties in the medaka world.

🎨 Physical Characteristics

• Body Color: Deep and clear blue base across the body
• Lamé (銀河ラメ): Scattered silver glitter across the dorsal surface
• Fin Type: Standard fin structure (non-Hikari)
• Scale Type: Normal (opaque), enhancing depth and contrast
• Best View: Top-view bowls or tanks under soft angled lighting

🔁 Fixation & Breeding Tips

• Fixation Rate: High – Most offspring show lamé and blue coloration consistently
• Selective Focus: Choose breeders with strong dorsal lamé, good symmetry, and even scale tone
• Environment: Use dark-bottom containers to better evaluate sparkle and coloration
• Outdoor Keeping: Performs well in ponds or patio tubs during warm seasons

🪞 Related Varieties

• Blue Miyuki (青幹之): Same blue tone, but lacks lamé sparkle
• White Lamé Miyuki (白ラメ幹之): Similar lamé expression on a white body base
• Seiryu Medaka (青龍メダカ): Metallic blue variety with a stronger body shine but different lamé distribution

✨ Conclusion

The Seiga Medaka is a masterfully balanced ornamental strain, combining calm blue coloration with celestial shimmer. With a high fixation rate and serene appearance, it's ideal for both seasoned breeders and those newly entering the medaka world. Whether viewed under the sun or soft interior light, this “star river” brings poetic charm to any aquatic setting.

※ This article was compiled using publicly available breeder references and the original source at Medakazukan.
※ Photo credit: SNR KOREA