Tennyo no Mai Medaka (Oryzias latipes) – Tank-Bred
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Species Overview
The Tennyo no Mai Medaka (Oryzias latipes), also known as the Heavenly Maiden Dance Ricefish, is a striking long-finned Japanese Ricefish developed by combining the Matsui long-fin trait with a Miyuki base. The result brings together the reflective, metallic appearance associated with Miyuki Medaka and dramatically elongated finnage that gives mature Tennyo no Mai their characteristic flowing appearance.
The name Tennyo no Mai (天女の舞) translates approximately to “Dance of the Heavenly Maiden,” inspired by the graceful movement of the fish's extended fins as it swims. Unlike standard-finned Miyuki Medaka, the fins of Tennyo no Mai become increasingly prominent as the fish matures, so younger specimens may not yet display the dramatic finnage seen in fully developed adults. Individual fish can also vary naturally in fin length, body sheen, and overall expression.
Despite its elaborate appearance, Tennyo no Mai retains the active, social nature that makes Japanese Ricefish so enjoyable to keep. These tank-bred Medaka spend much of their time near the upper levels of the aquarium and can be kept in planted aquariums, dedicated Medaka displays, and appropriately managed outdoor container setups. Their combination of metallic coloration, flowing finnage, manageable adult size, and peaceful behavior makes Tennyo no Mai a particularly distinctive expression of Oryzias latipes.
What We Love About This Fish
- Flowing Long-Fin Form: The Matsui long-fin trait gives mature Tennyo no Mai their signature extended finnage and graceful movement.
- Miyuki Metallic Sheen: Their Miyuki heritage contributes the bright silver to blue-white reflective appearance that makes these Medaka beautiful from above or from the side.
- Gets Better With Maturity: The characteristic finnage continues to develop as Tennyo no Mai grow, making this an especially rewarding variety to raise to adulthood.
- Peaceful and Social: Their small size and generally peaceful behavior make Tennyo no Mai well suited to planted Medaka displays and carefully selected community aquariums.
Quick Care Guide
Care Level: Easy to Moderate — Tennyo no Mai Medaka retain the adaptability of Japanese Ricefish, but their elongated fins make clean water, gentle flow, and appropriate tank mates especially important.
Temperament: Peaceful — Tennyo no Mai are generally peaceful toward their own kind and other appropriately selected community fish.
Diet: Omnivore — Offer a varied diet of high-quality small pellets or flakes along with appropriately sized live and frozen foods such as Daphnia, Moina, and Baby Brine Shrimp.
Average Adult Size: 1.25–1.5 inches (3–4 cm) — Their elongated fins can make mature Tennyo no Mai appear larger than standard-finned Medaka of the same body size.
Average Purchase Size: Approximately 1–1.5 inches
Tank Level: Upper to Middle — Like other Japanese Ricefish, Tennyo no Mai spend much of their time swimming and feeding near the water's surface.
Activity Level: Active — These curious ricefish regularly explore open water and planted areas throughout the day.
Social Behavior: Social — Tennyo no Mai should be kept with other Medaka rather than as solitary fish, with enough space for individuals to interact without crowding.
Shrimp Compatibility: Yes, with adult shrimp — Adult freshwater shrimp are generally safe, although very small shrimplets may be eaten opportunistically.
Tank Parameters
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons — A 10-gallon aquarium provides adequate space for a small group, although larger footprints offer more swimming room and greater water stability.
Temperature: 64–78°F (18–26°C) — Tennyo no Mai Medaka are temperate fish and do not require the consistently warm conditions needed by many tropical species.
pH: 6.5–8.0 — Japanese Ricefish are adaptable to a relatively broad pH range, but stable conditions are more important than trying to maintain a specific number within that range.
GH: 5–20 dGH — Tennyo no Mai tolerate a broad range of mineral content and generally do well in moderately soft to hard water.
KH: 2–12 dKH — Some carbonate hardness helps provide buffering and reduces the likelihood of sudden pH changes.
Water Flow: Gentle to Moderate — Good filtration and oxygenation are important, but Tennyo no Mai should not have to constantly fight strong current with their elongated fins.
Aquarium Cover: Secure lid recommended — Medaka spend considerable time near the surface and are capable jumpers, particularly when startled or during active social interactions.
Origin: Tank-bred ornamental variety of Japanese Ricefish (Oryzias latipes); the Tennyo no Mai strain was developed through selective breeding and does not occur as a distinct population in the wild.
The wild ancestors of Japanese Ricefish are associated with shallow, slow-moving and still freshwater habitats, including rice paddies, irrigation channels, ponds, marshes, and vegetated waterways. These environments typically provide a mixture of open shallow water and dense marginal or aquatic vegetation, with relatively gentle water movement.
Although Tennyo no Mai has been selectively bred far beyond the appearance of wild Oryzias latipes, much of the species' underlying behavior remains recognizable. These fish naturally spend considerable time near the surface, readily investigate small foods in the water column, and use fine vegetation and plant roots for cover and spawning.
For the aquarium, the most useful lesson from this natural habitat is not to recreate a rice paddy literally, but to reproduce its combination of calm open water and abundant vegetation. This gives Tennyo no Mai room to display their elongated fins while providing the plant structure and surface cover that suit the natural behavior of Japanese Ricefish.
A Tennyo no Mai aquarium is best designed like a quiet, heavily vegetated shallow-water margin opening into calm water. The plants provide security and spawning structure around the edges, while open areas give these long-finned Medaka room to swim freely and allow their flowing finnage and reflective Miyuki sheen to become the visual focus of the aquarium.
Use smooth driftwood sparingly to create natural structure without crowding the swimming area. Spider Wood can work well when its finer branches are positioned away from the main swimming zone, while smoother pieces of Malaysian Driftwood can create lower structure beneath the fish. Avoid sharp rockwork, tight gaps, or rough decorations that could catch or damage the elongated fins.
Plant more densely around the back and sides with species such as Water Sprite, Hornwort, Guppy Grass, Java Moss, and Vallisneria, leaving the center and upper water column relatively open. Floating plants such as Amazon Frogbit, Salvinia, or Red Root Floaters can recreate the sheltered surface conditions Medaka naturally favor, but they should not be allowed to completely cover the surface. Their hanging roots also create useful cover and spawning structure.
A natural sand or fine gravel substrate works well, and a light scattering of Indian Almond Leaves, Magnolia Leaves, or other aquarium-safe botanicals can add texture and encourage the development of microorganisms that fry may graze around. Botanicals do not need to dominate this aquascape; the visual emphasis should remain on living vegetation, calm open water, and the fish themselves.
Tennyo no Mai will spend much of their time moving through the open upper water, investigating floating plant roots and fine vegetation for food and potential spawning sites. The best aquascape frames the fish rather than filling every available space—a planted shoreline around an open swimming area allows their long fins to become part of the living artwork.
Tennyo no Mai Medaka are omnivorous micropredators that naturally feed on tiny aquatic organisms, zooplankton, insect larvae, and other small foods available near the water's surface. In the aquarium, they readily accept prepared foods, but a varied diet that includes appropriately sized live and frozen foods better reflects their natural feeding behavior and helps support healthy growth, coloration, breeding condition, and fin development.
Offer a high-quality nano pellet, Medaka food, or finely crushed flake as the staple diet. Supplement regularly with small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, Moina, Baby Brine Shrimp, Cyclops, and Microworms. Live foods are especially useful for encouraging natural hunting behavior and conditioning adults for breeding.
Because Tennyo no Mai have relatively small mouths and spend much of their time near the surface, choose foods that are appropriately sized and remain accessible in the upper water column. Floating and slowly sinking foods work particularly well. Feed small portions once or twice daily, offering only what the fish can consume readily rather than allowing excess food to accumulate on the substrate.
A varied diet becomes especially valuable when raising younger Tennyo no Mai. Consistent nutrition provides the fish with the resources needed for normal growth and development as their adult body shape, coloration, and characteristic elongated finnage emerge.
Tennyo no Mai Medaka are peaceful, social fish, but their elongated fins require more thoughtful tank mate selection than standard-finned Japanese Ricefish. The best companions are small, peaceful species that tolerate similar temperatures, do not compete aggressively at feeding time, and show little interest in chasing or nipping long fins.
Good Tank Mates Include:
- Japanese Ricefish (Oryzias latipes) — Other peaceful Medaka varieties share similar care requirements and behavior. Different varieties can interbreed, however, so they should be kept separately if preserving the Tennyo no Mai strain is important.
- White Cloud Mountain Minnows (Tanichthys albonubes) — Peaceful, active fish with overlapping temperature requirements that can work well in appropriately sized aquariums.
- Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) — Small, peaceful catfish that primarily use the lower portions of the aquarium and generally leave Medaka undisturbed.
- Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus spp.) — Gentle algae and biofilm grazers that can be suitable companions in mature planted aquariums.
- Adult Freshwater Shrimp — Adult Neocaridina, Caridina, and Amano Shrimp can generally coexist with Tennyo no Mai, although very small shrimplets may be eaten.
- Peaceful Freshwater Snails — Nerite, Mystery, and Ramshorn Snails generally make compatible invertebrate tank mates.
Avoid fin-nipping barbs and tetras, aggressive or territorial fish, large predatory species, and highly boisterous feeders. Even a fish that is unlikely to seriously injure a standard Medaka may be inappropriate if it repeatedly chases or investigates the extended fins of Tennyo no Mai.
Compatibility should also account for temperature. Tennyo no Mai are temperate fish, so a species should not be recommended simply because it is peaceful if maintaining that species properly would require keeping the aquarium substantially warmer than is ideal for the Medaka.
The safest community is one built around the Tennyo no Mai rather than simply adding them to an existing assortment of fish. Calm companions that occupy different areas of the aquarium allow Tennyo no Mai to feed normally, maintain their fins, and display the graceful swimming behavior for which this variety is prized.
Shrimp Safe: Yes, With Adult Shrimp
Tennyo no Mai Medaka are generally a good choice for planted aquariums containing adult freshwater shrimp. Adult Neocaridina Shrimp, Caridina Shrimp, and Amano Shrimp are typically too large to be considered prey, and Tennyo no Mai are not specialized shrimp hunters.
Newly hatched shrimplets are a different story. Tennyo no Mai Medaka are opportunistic micropredators that naturally investigate tiny moving organisms as potential food, so very small shrimplets may be eaten if encountered. Dense Java Moss, Guppy Grass, floating plant roots, botanicals, and other complex cover can significantly increase the number of young shrimp that remain out of reach.
For an attractive planted display containing Medaka and an established adult shrimp population, Tennyo no Mai can be an excellent match. If the primary goal is maximizing shrimp reproduction and shrimplet survival, however, a fish-free breeding aquarium remains the safest choice.
Breeding
Breeding Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Breeding Type: Egg Layer
Parental Care: None
Tennyo no Mai Medaka can breed readily in the home aquarium when mature adults are well conditioned. Females carry clusters of adhesive eggs briefly before depositing them among fine-leaved plants, floating roots, or spawning mops. Adults may eat both eggs and newly hatched fry, so breeders looking for higher survival rates should collect the eggs or move spawning material to a separate rearing container.
Newly hatched fry require very small foods before graduating to Microworms, Baby Brine Shrimp, and other appropriately sized foods as they grow. Because Tennyo no Mai is a selectively bred Medaka strain, offspring can vary in fin development and Miyuki expression, and the characteristic long fins become more apparent with maturity.
Breeding Note: Tennyo no Mai can interbreed with other Oryzias latipes varieties. Keep breeding groups separate from other Japanese Medaka strains if maintaining the Tennyo no Mai line is important.
What is a Tennyo no Mai Medaka?
The Tennyo no Mai Medaka is a selectively bred variety of Japanese Ricefish (Oryzias latipes) developed by combining Matsui long-fin characteristics with a Miyuki base. This combination gives the variety its characteristic elongated finnage along with the reflective appearance associated with Miyuki Medaka. Tennyo no Mai is an ornamental strain, not a separate species of ricefish.
What does Tennyo no Mai mean?
Tennyo no Mai (天女の舞) translates approximately to “Dance of the Heavenly Maiden.” The name refers to the graceful appearance created by the fish's elongated fins as they move through the water. This is also why Tennyo no Mai is sometimes sold in English as the Heavenly Maiden Dance Ricefish.
Is Tennyo no Mai the same as Miyuki Medaka?
No. Tennyo no Mai Medaka have Miyuki heritage, but Tennyo no Mai and standard Miyuki Medaka are not the same variety. Miyuki Medaka are particularly known for their reflective body sheen, while Tennyo no Mai combines a Miyuki base with Matsui long-fin characteristics. The elongated finnage is therefore an important part of what distinguishes Tennyo no Mai.
Will young Tennyo no Mai Medaka already have very long fins?
Not necessarily. The characteristic finnage of Tennyo no Mai becomes more pronounced as the fish matures, so younger fish may not resemble photographs of fully developed adults. Fin length and overall expression can also vary naturally between individual fish. Aquarists purchasing juveniles should expect to watch their appearance continue developing as they grow.
Do Tennyo no Mai Medaka need a heater?
Not necessarily. Tennyo no Mai Medaka are temperate Japanese Ricefish and can often be maintained in an unheated indoor aquarium when the room keeps the water within an appropriate and reasonably stable temperature range. A heater can still be useful where indoor temperatures become too cool or fluctuate significantly.
Can Tennyo no Mai Medaka be kept outdoors?
Yes, Tennyo no Mai Medaka can be kept in suitable outdoor ponds and container setups when local temperatures and conditions are appropriate. Outdoor setups should provide adequate water volume, vegetation, shade, predator protection, and protection from dangerous temperature extremes. Seasonal conditions should always be considered rather than assuming Medaka can remain outdoors year-round in every climate.
Can Tennyo no Mai Medaka live with other Medaka?
Yes. Tennyo no Mai Medaka can generally live peacefully with other Japanese Ricefish varieties that share similar environmental requirements. However, different ornamental varieties of Oryzias latipes can interbreed. Aquarists who want to maintain a recognizable Tennyo no Mai breeding line should therefore keep breeding fish separate from other O. latipes varieties.
Are Tennyo no Mai Medaka good community fish?
Tennyo no Mai Medaka can be excellent residents of a carefully selected peaceful community aquarium. Their long fins make compatibility more restrictive than it is for standard-finned Medaka, so persistent fin nippers, aggressive fish, and highly boisterous feeders should be avoided. Temperature compatibility is equally important because Tennyo no Mai should not be kept unnecessarily warm simply to accommodate tropical tank mates.
Can Tennyo no Mai Medaka live with freshwater shrimp?
Yes. Tennyo no Mai Medaka generally coexist well with healthy adult freshwater shrimp, including adult Neocaridina, Caridina, and Amano Shrimp. Newly hatched shrimplets are small enough to be eaten opportunistically, so dense plant growth and other cover are important when shrimp reproduction is desired.
Are Tennyo no Mai Medaka difficult to breed?
Tennyo no Mai Medaka can reproduce readily under good aquarium conditions, but maintaining the ornamental characteristics of the strain requires selective breeding. Offspring can vary in fin development and Miyuki expression, and juveniles need time to mature before their adult characteristics can be properly evaluated. Breeding groups should also be kept separate from other Oryzias latipes varieties if maintaining the Tennyo no Mai line is the goal.
Are Tennyo no Mai Medaka good for beginners?
Yes. Tennyo no Mai Medaka can be a good choice for newer aquarists who provide a fully cycled aquarium, stable water quality, gentle filtration, and appropriate tank mates. Their basic husbandry is approachable, but the long fins make avoiding rough décor, excessive current, and fin-nipping companions especially important.
Are Aquatic Arts Tennyo no Mai Medaka wild-caught?
No. The Tennyo no Mai Medaka offered by Aquatic Arts are tank-bred. Tennyo no Mai itself is a selectively developed ornamental form of Oryzias latipes and does not exist as a naturally occurring wild population.
What is the difference between Tennyo no Mai Medaka and Miyuki Medaka?
Tennyo no Mai Medaka and Miyuki Medaka are both ornamental varieties of Japanese Ricefish (Oryzias latipes), but they are not the same variety. Miyuki Medaka are best known for their bright reflective dorsal sheen, while Tennyo no Mai was developed by combining Miyuki characteristics with the Matsui long-fin trait. Tennyo no Mai therefore combines reflective Miyuki-type appearance with distinctly elongated finnage.
What is the difference between Tennyo no Mai Medaka and Matsui Long-Fin Medaka?
Tennyo no Mai incorporates the Matsui long-fin trait, but “Matsui Long-Fin” describes a fin characteristic rather than being interchangeable with Tennyo no Mai. Tennyo no Mai combines that long-fin characteristic with a Miyuki base. This distinction is important because other Medaka varieties can also carry or be developed with long-fin traits without being Tennyo no Mai.
What is the difference between Tennyo no Mai Medaka and regular Japanese Ricefish?
Tennyo no Mai is a selectively bred ornamental form of the Japanese Ricefish (Oryzias latipes) rather than a different species. Standard or wild-type Japanese Ricefish have much shorter, conventional finnage and lack the specific combination of exaggerated long fins and Miyuki-derived reflective characteristics for which Tennyo no Mai was developed. Their fundamental care and behavior remain similar because they belong to the same species.
Are Tennyo no Mai Medaka and Heavenly Maiden Dance Ricefish the same fish?
Yes. Tennyo no Mai Medaka and Heavenly Maiden Dance Ricefish refer to the same ornamental Medaka variety. “Heavenly Maiden Dance” is an English rendering of the Japanese name Tennyo no Mai (天女の舞) rather than the name of a separate ricefish variety.
Is Tennyo no Mai a species, strain, or color morph?
Tennyo no Mai is a selectively bred ornamental strain or variety of Oryzias latipes, not a separate species. The name identifies a particular combination of selectively developed characteristics, especially its long-fin expression and Miyuki heritage. Its scientific species remains Oryzias latipes.
Can Tennyo no Mai Medaka breed with Miyuki or other Japanese Medaka?
Yes. Tennyo no Mai, Miyuki, and many other Japanese Medaka varieties belong to the same species, Oryzias latipes, and can interbreed. Mixing strains may produce interesting offspring, but it can also break apart the combination of traits that defines an established ornamental line. Aquarists who want to maintain Tennyo no Mai should therefore breed them separately from other O. latipes varieties.
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Shipping Schedule for this service
Current Handling Time:
1-9 business days
Here at Aquatic Arts, we consider the welfare of the live animals we are shipping to be of the foremost importance. This process is much more involved than simply creating a shipping label and affixing it to a box. Depending on the order, it takes from 4 to 7 people to complete this process properly. We check the weather conditions here where they fly out of the Indianapolis UPS facility and the destination for each shipment. We start early each morning and go through a multi-step process to have the day's shipments prepared in time for the UPS pickup. The volume of orders in our system also affects the processing time. Therefore our stated handling time is 1-9 business days.
Shipping Rate
Pricing is by size of package needed to fill entire order and distance it must travel. It will be calculated at checkout.
Aquatic Arts Guarantee
We stand behind the health and quality of every fish we offer. Each Tennyo no Mai Medaka is carefully quarantined, observed, and conditioned before shipment to help ensure it arrives healthy and ready for its new aquarium.
Every Tennyo no Mai Medaka is backed by our 100% Live Arrival Guarantee, and every fish order ships in the Aquatic Arts Live Arrival Guarantee Box at no additional charge. Weather-appropriate insulation and heating or cooling materials are used when needed to help protect your fish during transit.
Tennyo no Mai Medaka are adaptable fish, but shipping and sudden changes in temperature or water chemistry can still cause stress. Have a fully cycled aquarium ready before arrival and follow our acclimation instructions carefully. Stable water conditions and an established aquarium give your new fish the best opportunity to settle in successfully.
If your Tennyo no Mai Medaka arrives with an issue, please follow the claim instructions included with your order or submit the required information through our DOA Claim Form. Our Customer Support Team will review the claim and assist with the appropriate resolution.
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Best Fishes,
The Aquatic Arts Team