Tsumugi Medaka (紬メダカ) – A Silken Shimmer in Motion

Tsumugi Medaka (紬メダカ) is a refined ornamental variety known for its silky glow and balanced body form. Named after the traditional Japanese silk weave “tsumugi,” this medaka embodies smooth elegance and structure — a glimmering thread in motion beneath the water's surface.

🧵 Name Origin & Meaning

“Tsumugi” (紬) refers to a type of handcrafted Japanese silk, often used for kimonos. Its weave is known for being soft, subtle, and full of quiet beauty. The medaka bearing this name was developed to reflect that same sensibility — not flashy, but exquisitely detailed under light, like sunlight passing through fabric.

🧬 Origin & Breeder

• Breeder: Mimu Medaka（美夢めだか）
• Development Goal: To create a stable line with dense, fine lamé expression resembling woven threads
• Expression Type: Silvery-gold lamé over a pale or translucent base, ideal for side or top-view displays

The Tsumugi Medaka was selectively refined for simplicity and brilliance. It avoids heavy contrast in favor of a gentle, radiant shimmer, making it appealing for both collectors and breeders who value purity and restraint.

🎨 Physical Characteristics

• Body Color: Light, often translucent or pale beige with golden warmth
• Lamé: Fine-scale, high-density silver and gold lamé across the full body
• View Suitability: Beautiful from both top-view bowls and side-view aquariums
• Fixation: High — line breeding has led to stable lamé expression and body form
• Texture Impression: The visual texture resembles silk fibers catching light

🔁 Breeding Tips

• Choose breeders with clean lamé alignment and minimal scale irregularities
• Avoid pairing with overly contrasting strains to preserve softness
• Enhance gold or silver ratio by selecting individuals with dominant tones

🪞 Related Strains

• Super Lamé: Higher sparkle intensity, but less subtle in tone
• Aurora Medaka: May share similar internal light expression but different lamé texture
• Woven-type lines: Other lamé medaka with thread-like layering patterns

🌟 Conclusion

Tsumugi Medaka is a medaka of refinement — understated yet radiant. It evokes the elegance of woven silk, with each movement casting glimmers of silver and gold. Whether admired for its aesthetics or used as a foundation for future breeding, Tsumugi offers quiet brilliance and enduring structure — a beautiful thread in the tapestry of ornamental medaka.

※ This article was based on breeder content from @mimumedaka123 on Instagram.
※ Photo credit: SNR KOREA