Oryzias cf. woworae

7. December 2010

The ricefishes (Oryzias) are well known in the aquarium hobby. Currently 26 species are recognized scientifically. The latest described species is also the most beautiful one: Oryzias woworae was named only in 2010! Immediately after its description it was imported for the aquarium hobby and caused a sensation. We are glad to be able to offer this hardly 4 cm long* jewel now as German bred.

Currently two populations of this fish are known in the hobby. The first one came from Sulawesi. A little bit later a second population was imported, this time from the island of Muna, the type locality. To hinder unwanted crossing of the two populations the first one (from Sulawesi) was named Oryzias cf. woworae in the hobby and only the Muna-population is named O. woworae without the “cf.”.

Keeping and breeding this cute fish is very easy and even beginners in the hobby will be successful. These ricefishes can be kept in moderate hard water, it is thus usually not necessary to mix a special water for them. They feed readily on any usual fish food that has as size that fits the mouth. In all Oryzias species, the female carries the eggs some time along with it after spawning and strips them then on dainty waterplants. Hatching depends on the water temperature, but it takes usually between 2 and 3 weeks. The adults do not show any interest in the eggs, which can be left in the breeding tank. The newly hatched offspring swims immediately under the water surface. Although they are very tiny, they can be easily recognized by the shining eyes that look like spark. One should separate them now by using a spoon and rear them in a separate tank. The water temperature for keeping, breeding and rearing may lie between 22 and 30°C.

*the largest specimen in the type series was 28 mm long (without tail fin), as usual, aquarium specimens will grow a bit bigger than their free living cousins.

For our customers: the animals have code 340122 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Oryzias: derived from the scientific name of rice (Oryza), thus it means “belonging to the rice”. woworae: dedication name for Daisy Wowor, a carcinologist at the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, who collected the species for the first time.

Common name: Daisy´s ricefish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm 2-3