Wazumi Medaka (和墨メダカ) – Traditional Contrast with Modern Breeding

Wazumi Medaka (和墨メダカ) is a unique ornamental strain created to resemble the deep elegance of Japanese sumi ink. Developed through careful crossbreeding and line selection, this medaka features bold black patterns over a clean white base — a living tribute to traditional aesthetics in a modern aquarium.

🧬 Origin & Lineage

• Breeder: Medaka Palette (めだか専門店ぱれっと), Ibaraki, Japan
• Year Created: 2019
• Year Released: May 2021
• Cross: Orochi Hikari Type × Onna-bina (女雛), selecting buchi-marked offspring over generations

🎨 Physical Characteristics

• Body Color: White base with black buchi (斑) pattern — spotted like sumi ink
• Color Stability: Thanks to the Orochi lineage, the black pigment remains strong even in white tubs (resistant to fading)
• Body Type: Standard (non-longfin), ideal for all tank types
• Expression: Each individual features unique patterning on the body and fins

🌱 Breeding Traits

• Fixation Rate: High for white/black contrast; individual pattern intensity varies
• Background Reaction: None — the black does not fade due to environmental changes
• Line Purpose: Artistic contrast, sumi-brush aesthetic, and visual variation

🪞 Line Variants

• Wazumi Real Long Fin: Created by 鹿行めだか, a cross of Wazumi × Yamata no Orochi RLF
• Wazumi Tricolor: Wazumi × Palette Kohaku (a complex mix of Onna-bina, Akebono, and Unshu Kohaku strains)
• Wazumi New Line: A white-black derivative from the tricolor project, featuring sharper black edges on a crisp white base

🌟 Conclusion

Wazumi Medaka is a stunning ornamental medaka that balances tradition and innovation. With its high-contrast black spots on a milky white body, it resembles brushstroke art swimming gently in your aquarium. Its Orochi heritage grants it color stability, while its clean lineage ensures consistent beauty. Whether for display or selective breeding, Wazumi is a refined, meaningful addition to any medaka collection.

※ This article was based on breeder records from 品種図鑑 and data from Medaka Palette.
※ Photo credit: SNR MEDAKA USA – All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.