Daisy’s Ricefish 101: Everything You Need to Know for a Thriving Aquarium

• Scientific name: Oryzias woworae
• Common name: Daisy’s Ricefish, Daisy’s Blue Ricefish, Ricefish
• Origin: Asia (Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia)
• Max length: 1.0 – 1.2 inches (2.5 – 3 cm, though some specimens may reach up to 2 inches in captivity)
• Minimum tank size: 10 gallons (approximately 38 liters)
• Stocking: 8-10 fish for 10 gallons (ideal group size for schooling behavior)
• Temperament: Very peaceful, schooling; thrives in groups and rarely shows aggression
• Feeding: Omnivore, accepts dried foods (flakes, pellets), live foods (brine shrimp, daphnia), frozen foods, and algae
• Breeding: Quite easy; prolific egg-layers with minimal setup requirements
• Habitat: Leaf-littered streams with overhanging trees, slow-moving waters, and dense vegetation in the wild
• Hangs out: Mid to top regions of the tank; prefers open swimming space with cover
• Care level: Easy, with some restrictions (requires clean water and stable parameters)
• Tank setup: A sandy substrate with driftwood, dried leaves, or densely planted with live plants and floating cover
• Temperature: 73.4 – 80.6°F (23 – 27°C); can tolerate slight variations
• pH: 6 – 7.5; prefers slightly acidic to neutral water
• Water hardness (dGH): 5 – 15; soft to moderately hard water is ideal
• Lifespan: 3 – 4 years with proper care; may vary based on conditions

• Appearances, Temperament, and Interesting Facts
• Tank Setup, Layout, and Stocking
• Tankmates for Daisy's Ricefish
• Diet, Foods, and Feeding
• Sex and Breeding

Appearances, Temperament, and Interesting Facts

Oryzias woworae, commonly known as Daisy’s Ricefish, was first discovered and collected by Dr. Daisy Wowor in 2007 on Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, and was formally introduced to the aquarium hobby in 2010. Named in honor of Dr. Wowor, a systematic carcinologist, this species stands out as a vibrant and unique addition to the ricefish family (Adrianichthyidae). Its striking appearance—males boasting a metallic blue body with vivid red accents on their fins and females displaying a golden-yellow hue with subtle orange outlines—makes it a beautiful choice for peaceful community tanks.

Though often listed as intermediate to hard in care difficulty, Daisy’s Ricefish are surprisingly hardy and suitable for savvy beginners. For instance, a group we received had endured shipping stress and an unnoticed case of ich, followed by a salt bath treatment, yet all survived without a single loss. This resilience highlights their adaptability, provided their basic needs—clean water and appropriately sized food—are met. They are small, typically growing to 1.0-1.2 inches, though some aquarists report specimens reaching up to 2 inches under optimal conditions.

Temperament-wise, Daisy’s Ricefish are nonaggressive and thrive in groups, exhibiting a loosely schooling behavior. They are curious and mildly interactive, often responding to activity around the tank when hungry. During spawning, males may chase other males away to establish dominance, but this behavior is infrequent and rarely escalates to harm. An interesting fact: their prolific breeding and egg-carrying habits (females carry adhesive eggs for hours) mimic some killifish traits, though they are not closely related, sparking debate among hobbyists about their classification.

Tank Setup, Layout, and Stocking

Daisy’s Ricefish don’t demand elaborate setups, but their colors and behavior truly shine in a thoughtfully designed tank. In bare tanks, their vibrancy fades, appearing washed out, so incorporating decor is key. A minimum tank size of 10 gallons is recommended to house a group of 8-10 fish, ensuring stable water parameters and ample swimming space. For larger groups (e.g., 12-15 fish), consider a 20-gallon tank to enhance their schooling dynamics.

For a natural look inspired by their wild habitat—leaf-littered streams with overhanging trees—use a sandy substrate sprinkled with dried leaves, driftwood, and rocks. Alternatively, a densely planted aquarium with species like Java moss, Anubias, or floating plants (e.g., Water Sprite or Duckweed) mimics their environment, dims the light, and provides cover. These fish occupy the mid to upper water column, so leave open swimming areas while ensuring hiding spots. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as they are capable jumpers.

Filtration should be gentle (e.g., sponge or low-flow hang-on-back filters) to replicate their slow-moving stream origins, with a turnover rate of 4-5 times the tank volume per hour. Weekly water changes of 20-30% keep nitrates below 15 ppm, as they are sensitive to poor water quality. Aim for a temperature of 73.4-80.6°F, a pH of 6-7.5, and water hardness of 5-15 dGH, adjusting gradually if needed to avoid shock.

Tankmates for Daisy’s Ricefish

Daisy’s Ricefish are ideal community fish due to their peaceful nature, but tankmates must be carefully chosen. Ours coexist happily with rainbowfish (gertrudae, furcatus), celestial pearl danios, peacock gobies, and otocinclus. Other excellent options include pygmy cories, shrimp (Amano, cherry, red rili, etc.), Sundadanio axelrodi, small tetras (e.g., neon or ember), and kubotai rasbora. These species share a calm demeanor and similar size, reducing stress or predation risks.

Avoid aggressive or large fish (e.g., bettas, cichlids) that might intimidate or eat them, given their small stature. While not as frenetic as some rainbowfish, Daisy’s Ricefish are active, and their playful antics might unsettle slower, more sedentary species like Kuhli loaches if they share the same tank zones. They school loosely with compatible fish, especially rainbows, adding dynamism to the tank. When pairing with shrimp, introduce the shrimp first and provide dense plants to protect juveniles, as ricefish may nibble on tiny fry.

Diet, Foods, and Feeding

Daisy’s Ricefish are unfussy omnivores, readily accepting high-quality flakes, micro pellets, and other commercial dried foods suited to their small mouths. However, a varied diet is crucial for optimal health and color. Supplement with live foods like Daphnia, white worms, micro worms, baby brine shrimp, fruit flies, and Grindal worms, alongside frozen options such as bloodworms or brine shrimp. They also graze on aquarium algae, which provides fiber and mimics their natural foraging.

Feed small amounts 1-2 times daily, ensuring food sinks slowly or floats to reach their mid-to-top feeding zone. For breeding pairs or fry rearing, prioritize live foods to boost nutrition and encourage spawning. Avoid overfeeding to maintain water quality—uneaten food should be removed after 5 minutes. A balanced mix of protein-rich and plant-based foods (e.g., spirulina flakes) keeps them vibrant and healthy year-round.

Sex and Breeding

Distinguishing sexes is straightforward: males are slimmer, more colorful (steel blue with red fin edges), and have longer dorsal and anal fins, while females are plumper with a yellow-gold body and shorter fins. During spawning, males darken to a gunmetal gray, enhancing their striking appearance. Daisy’s Ricefish are prolific and easy to breed, making them a rewarding species for hobbyists.

Females spawn every few days, laying 10-20 adhesive eggs per session, typically in the morning. Post-spawning, eggs remain attached to the female’s vent for several hours before being brushed off onto plants, moss, or decor. In our community tank, egg-carrying females attract attention from tankmates, who treat the eggs like a delicacy. Fry occasionally hatch, but we transfer any spotted babies to a breeder box for safety.

For consistent breeding success, set up a dedicated 5-10 gallon tank with fine-leaved plants (e.g., Java moss) or spawning mops. Maintain warm water (around 78-80°F) to speed egg development. After spawning, remove the parents to prevent egg or fry predation. Eggs hatch in 1-3 weeks, depending on temperature (faster at warmer ends), and fry become free-swimming within days. Feed them infusoria, powdered fry food, or freshly hatched brine shrimp until they’re large enough for micro pellets. With proper care, you’ll soon have a thriving population of these charming fish.