Youkihi Albino Medaka (楊貴妃アルビノ) – The Charm of Crimson and Light

The Youkihi Albino medaka (楊貴妃アルビノ) is a stunning Japanese rice fish variety developed by introducing albino traits into the famous Youkihi strain. This beautiful medaka combines the vivid red tones of the Youkihi lineage with the soft, glowing qualities characteristic of albino medaka.

🌟 Overview

Youkihi Albino Medaka presents a unique blend of deep orange to light crimson coloration, softened by the translucent qualities of albino genetics. Its red eyes and glowing body give it an elegant presence both indoors and outdoors, especially under sunlight or gentle LED lighting.

🔬 Key Features

• Color: Soft crimson to orange-red hues with albino clarity
• Eyes: Distinctive red, common to albino varieties
• Body: Translucent, enhancing the brilliance of the underlying pigmentation
• Presence: Calm and regal, ideal for refined aquatic displays

📖 Background

The original Youkihi strain was created by Yukio Ōba (大場幸雄), a master breeder known for refining vivid red medaka varieties. Building on this foundation, the Youkihi Albino was developed by selectively introducing albino traits into the Youkihi lineage. The albino characteristics, which result in a translucent body and red eyes, were carefully established by Shigenobu Ikawa (井川重信) in 2012, a renowned breeder specializing in albino medaka.

Albino medaka are characterized by their inability to produce melanin, which is why they lack black pigmentation. As a result, true black albino medaka do not exist. However, albino medaka can still possess other pigment cells responsible for yellow, white, and iridescent colors, allowing a soft and colorful expression despite the absence of black tones.

This strain exemplifies the art of medaka breeding, where color intensity and genetic refinement harmonize. Youkihi Albino Medaka remains a favorite among collectors seeking rare and beautiful expressions of traditional Japanese medaka lines.

Learn more about Youkihi Albino Medaka on our Medaka Encyclopedia page.