Rice Fish Neon Blue Woworae

Description

• Size: Grows to about 2.5–3.5 cm.

• Color: Striking iridescent neon blue body with subtle red-orange highlights on the fins, especially in males. Females tend to be slightly duller but still beautiful.

• Behavior: Very peaceful, active, and social. Best kept in groups of 6 or more. They occupy the top and middle levels of the aquarium and do well in calm community setups.

Aquarium Care

Tank Size

• A group of 6+ Neon Blue Rice Fish needs at least 20 litres, but 40+ litres is ideal for better stability and group behavior.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: Prefer slightly warmer water — ideally 22–27°C.

• pH: Slightly acidic to neutral is best, around 6.5–7.5.

• KH (Carbonate Hardness): Aim for 3–6 dKH to maintain stable conditions.

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water is suitable, around 5–15 dGH.

• Water Quality: They are hardy but appreciate stable, clean water. Do 20–30% weekly water changes and ensure good filtration with gentle flow.

Diet

• Oryzias woworae are omnivores, with a preference for smaller foods:

  • Micro pellets, crushed flakes

  • Live or frozen foods like baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and cyclops

  • Blanched vegetables or soft algae on occasion

Feed once or twice per day, only what they can eat in a minute or so.

Tank Setup

• Substrate: Fine gravel or sand works well.

• Aquascaping: Add dense planting, especially floating plants, to help them feel secure and bring out their colors. Open swimming space is also important.

• Lighting: Moderate lighting helps enhance their neon glow. Avoid overly bright light unless there are shaded areas.

• Water Movement: Prefer gentle flow — strong currents should be avoided.

Tank Mates

• Neon Blue Rice Fish are peaceful and do best with other small, non-aggressive species:

  • Shrimp (like Cherry Shrimp)

  • Snails

  • Pygmy Corydoras, Sparkling Gouramis, or small Rasboras

• Avoid larger or fin-nipping fish.

Breeding

• Very easy to breed:

  • Males display vibrant colors to attract females.

  • Females carry eggs under their belly, then deposit them on fine-leaved plants or spawning mops.

  • Eggs hatch in 7–10 days, depending on temperature.

  • Fry should be separated or raised in a breeding tank. Feed them infusoria, liquid fry food, or baby brine shrimp.

Summary

• Neon Blue Rice Fish (Oryzias woworae) are beautiful, peaceful, and easy to care for.

• Keep in groups of 6+, in a 20–40+ litre tank.

• Thrive at 22–27°C, with pH 6.5–7.5 and KH 3–6 dKH.

• Enjoy gentle flow, planted tanks, and do well with peaceful tank mates.

• Easy to feed and easy to breed, making them ideal for beginners and nano tanks.