Ricefish
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The ricefishes are a family (Adrianichthyidae) of small ray-finned fish that are found in fresh and brackish waters from India to Japan and out into the Indo-Australian Archipelago, most notably Sulawesi. About 25 species, some extremely rare and endangered.
Most of these species are quite small, with maximum lengths in the 2-4 cm range, making them of interest for aquaria.
Several species carry their eggs attached to the body between their pelvic fins.
The Japanese rice fish or medaka Oryzias latipes is easy to keep, and has been heavily studied.
Genetic study of the family suggests that it originally evolved on Sulawesi and spread from there to the Asian mainland.
External links
- FishBase info for Adrianichthyidae (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySummary.cfm?ID=210)
- Genetic study of ricefishes (http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/tropical/JSA/adrian.htm)ja:メダカ