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AQUAPEDIA / SOURCE-LINKED RESEARCH

Orochi

オロチ

Historical Medaka research entryEvidence by claimIndependent review ongoing

A 2016 breeder attribution identifies Orochi as a deeply black Medaka that retains its dark appearance across different background colors.

Picture gene & lineage tree

Visual pedigree of breeder-reported inputs, where available. Dashed arrows represent documentary claims or selection history, not DNA-tested genes.

Horizontal branching Medaka lineage. American name: Orochi; Japanese romaji: Orochi; Japanese characters: オロチ. Dashed connectors show breeder-reported input or selection history; they do not prove genetic parentage. Documented source links and evidence qualifiers follow the diagram.AQUAPEDIA / MEDAKA LINEAGE ATLASSTRAIN PEDIGREEREPORTED LINEAGEDASHED BRANCHES • REPORTED INPUTS / SELECTION STAGESNot an individual-fish pedigree or DNA / dominance test.REPORTED INPUT / STAGE 1Super Black selection population withlater Pure Black stock introduced;transparent-scale black fish selectedFOCAL STRAINAMERICAN / ENGLISH NAMEOrochiJAPANESE NAME (ROMAJI)OrochiJAPANESE LETTERS (日本語)オロチ
Dashed connectors show breeder-reported input or selection history; they do not prove genetic parentage. Not a confirmed genotype or parent-fish identification.

First shown in 2015, broadly released in 2016 after about 6.5 years of selection. Exact founding pair, sex direction, transparent-scale input phase and genotype are not documented. Source: Pisces publisher breeder visit/interview with Masahiro Tanikuni (2018)

Browse the larger Medaka lineage atlas ↗

View this strain’s illustrated gene tree in Discord ↗

Lineage review · Batch 19: The reviewed records do not establish a defensible original parent pair; the diagram now shows the cited stock-selection history, while F generations and genetic inheritance remain unresolved. Original specialist source ↗

Overview

The black body, fin and eye-ring appearance is described as less prone to background adaptation than preceding dark Medaka lines. This is a historically reported selection, not a guarantee every marketed fish will appear identical. Historical creator/source attribution: Masahiro Tanikuni / 谷國昌博.

Claim-by-claim evidence

Research findingEvidence classDirect references
The 2016 historical catalog attributes Orochi to 谷國昌博 of Nara PrefectureSpecialist historical creator recordH89 ↗
The updated Japanese medaka variety database independently records a 2016 creation attribution to the same breederSeparate specialist identity/year corroborationOZ ↗
The published descriptions emphasize black coloration around eyes, abdomen and fins with reduced response to changes in container backgroundDocumented diagnostic phenotypeH89 ↗ OZ ↗
A February 2017 specialist publisher profile reports that the breeder spent years selecting for darker stock; its stability remarks are breeder claims, not a 100% guaranteeDated secondary interview and scope limitationOP ↗

Evidence labels refer to documentary strength. They do not assert independently tested genetics.

Known research gaps

  • First marketed batch, founder fish and molecular pathways are not established from this documentation.
  • Do not assume every fish sold as Orochi has breeder-authenticated origin or identical background response.
  • DNA-verified ancestry, independent inheritance ratios and authenticated present-day stock provenance require further source review.
  • No third-party photographs are rehosted without documented permission.

Related profiles and lineages

Original research sources

Every row above links directly to its cited reference; publication or creation years are not interchangeable.