Daisy's Ricefish
Oryzias woworae
Description
Daisy’s Ricefish is a small, peaceful species known for its delicate appearance and vibrant coloration. The body is slender and elongated, with a slight iridescent sheen that gives it a shimmering, silver-blue hue. Males tend to have more intense colors, with bright orange-red markings around their fins and tail, while females are usually more subdued in color. The fins are transparent with a subtle blue tint, and the fish has large eyes and a small mouth, typical of ricefish species. Daisy’s Ricefish is a schooling species and should be kept in groups to reduce stress and display their natural social behavior. They are peaceful and active swimmers, spending most of their time in the middle to upper regions of the tank.
Habitat Origin
Native to the freshwater streams and rivers in the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi and surrounding regions. Daisy’s Ricefish thrives in slow-moving, warm waters with neutral to slightly alkaline pH, and they are found in areas with dense vegetation and submerged plant life. In their natural habitat, these fish live in well-oxygenated waters, where they swim among plants and shallow areas.
Aquarium
Ideal Number in Aquarium: At least 6 individuals, as they are schooling fish and feel more secure in groups.
Favorite Food
Daisy’s Ricefish are omnivores and will accept a variety of foods. They can be fed high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. They will also graze on small plant matter and algae, so incorporating some vegetable-based foods like blanched spinach or zucchini will be beneficial. A varied diet will ensure they maintain their vibrant colors and overall health.
Behavior:
Daisy’s Ricefish are peaceful and social fish, best kept in schools of at least 6 individuals. They prefer to swim in groups and will often school together, especially in the middle to upper regions of the tank. These fish are not aggressive and do well with other small, peaceful species. While they are relatively shy, they will become more confident and active when kept in groups. Daisy’s Ricefish are also active swimmers and will enjoy tanks with plenty of plants, which provide both cover and grazing opportunities. They are generally not territorial but will need space to feel comfortable in a group.
Special Care:
Daisy’s Ricefish require stable water conditions to thrive. Regular water changes, good filtration, and a well-maintained tank are essential. These fish prefer slightly acidic to neutral water and may not do well in highly alkaline or hard water. Providing a tank with live plants is beneficial for both aesthetic reasons and the fish’s well-being, as it gives them places to hide and graze. Since they are peaceful and schooling fish, they should be kept in a well-planted, spacious tank with plenty of swimming room.
Compatibility with Other Fish:
Yes, Daisy’s Ricefish are compatible with many other peaceful fish species. They can be housed with other small, non-aggressive species, such as tetras, rasboras, and peaceful catfish. They can also be kept with shrimp and snails. Avoid housing them with larger or aggressive fish, as these may intimidate or harm the ricefish. A peaceful community tank is ideal for Daisy’s Ricefish, where they can swim together in their natural schooling behavior.
Adult
Breeding Setup
It is highly recommended to use a separate breeding tank for Daisy’s Ricefish to better control water parameters, prevent egg or fry predation, and ensure smooth breeding. A 40-liter (10-gallon) tank is ideal, providing sufficient space for a small group while allowing easy water quality management. Maintain water parameters at a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, temperature between 24°C to 28°C, and hardness (GH) of 4 to 12 dGH. Use a gentle sponge or internal filter with low flow to create calm water. Provide a fine substrate such as sand or smooth gravel. Add live plants like Java moss, Hornwort, or Anubias to offer egg attachment surfaces and fry hiding spots. Floating plants such as duckweed or water sprite help mimic their natural shaded environment. Moderate to dim lighting replicates their preferred natural conditions.
Conditioning for Breeding
Feed a varied, high-protein diet including high-quality flakes, live foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and frozen foods. This balanced diet helps condition males and females for spawning. Keep water quality high with regular 25% weekly water changes to reduce waste and encourage breeding behavior.
Spawning
Daisy’s Ricefish are egg-scatterers. Males court females by showing vibrant colors and chasing them. Females scatter 50 to 100 sticky eggs on plants, glass, or other hard surfaces. After spawning, promptly remove adults to protect eggs from predation, as adults may eat the eggs even though they are not particularly aggressive towards them.
Fry Care
Eggs hatch within 24 to 48 hours depending on temperature. Fry absorb yolk sacs initially before swimming freely. Feed free-swimming fry infusoria, liquid fry food, or microscopic algae. Later, introduce baby brine shrimp or microscopic live foods. After a few weeks, offer finely crushed flakes or baby pellets. Maintain water quality with small daily water changes (10-15%), stable temperature between 24°C and 28°C, and monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels carefully.
Important Notes
Daisy’s Ricefish mature sexually between 6 to 8 months. Males are smaller and more colorful during breeding, displaying reds and blues, while females are larger and rounder when gravid. Avoid stress by maintaining stable water parameters, minimizing overcrowding, and keeping tankmates peaceful. Sudden water changes or aggressive tankmates can disrupt breeding success.