Orange Sparkling Ricefish (Oryzias woworae) – Small, Peaceful Fish with Vibrant Orange Glow, Perfect for Nano and Planted Aquariums

Add a touch of warm brilliance to your aquarium with the Orange Sparkling Ricefish (Oryzias woworae), a small, serene gem known for its iridescent orange glow and shimmering blue highlights. Also called the Daisy’s Ricefish, this captivating species hails from the clear, slow-moving streams of Sulawesi, Indonesia, where it sparkles beneath the sunlight filtering through the jungle canopy. Its unique coloration and graceful swimming style make it one of the most enchanting and underrated nano fish in the aquarium hobby.

The Orange Sparkling Ricefish is ideal for peaceful community or species-only aquariums, bringing a calm yet lively energy to your setup. With its gentle schooling behavior, bright coloration, and adaptability, it pairs beautifully with shrimp, snails, and other small, non-aggressive fish. Unlike many tropical fish, Oryzias woworae thrives in a wide range of conditions, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned aquarists seeking something rare and visually stunning.

Their delicate fins shimmer under aquarium lights, revealing a fiery orange body with metallic blue eyes that seem to glow from within. In groups of six or more, they display natural schooling patterns, darting gracefully through aquatic plants and open water. Their calm demeanor and manageable size make them a perfect choice for nano tanks, planted aquascapes, and outdoor mini ponds in warmer months.

🐠 Care & Tank Requirements:

• Scientific Name: Oryzias woworae

• Common Name: Orange Sparkling Ricefish / Daisy’s Ricefish

• Origin: Sulawesi, Indonesia

• Adult Size: ~1.2 inches (3 cm)

• Lifespan: 3–4 years with proper care

• Temperament: Peaceful, social, curious

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

• Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)

• pH Range: 6.5–8.0

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Diet: Omnivore, enjoys micro pellets, crushed flakes, frozen or live daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae

• Lighting: Medium to bright; brings out the best color vibrancy

• Compatibility: Ideal with small rasboras, endlers, neocaridina shrimp, snails, and peaceful nano species

🌱 Breeding Information:
Breeding Oryzias woworae is simple and rewarding. Females carry small clusters of adhesive eggs near their vent before gently depositing them among fine plants or spawning mops. The eggs hatch in about 10–14 days, and fry are large enough to eat infusoria or powdered fry food from the start. Provide dense mosses, floating plants, or spawning mops to protect eggs and fry. Unlike livebearers, ricefish are egg scatterers and won’t aggressively pursue their young, though separation improves survival rates.

🏞 Aquascaping & Behavior:
The Orange Sparkling Ricefish thrives in tanks with gentle water flow, dense vegetation, and natural light. Plants like Java fern, Hornwort, and Water Sprite create ideal cover and enhance their coloration. They are mid-to-top dwellers, preferring open swimming space near the water’s surface. Keep them in small groups of 6 or more to encourage natural schooling and reduce shyness. Their subtle yet constant movement adds a sense of life and serenity to any aquascape.

💡 Why Choose the Orange Sparkling Ricefish:

• Glows with a captivating orange shimmer under natural or LED light

• Peaceful, hardy, and perfectly suited for nano and planted aquariums

• Active yet calm swimmer, ideal companion for shrimp and small fish

• Easy to breed with simple care and low maintenance needs

• Rare, exotic species that brings elegance and balance to community tanks

• Can thrive indoors or outdoors in temperate weather

✨ Pro Tip:
For the most vivid coloration, use dark substrates, abundant greenery, and full-spectrum lighting. Offer live foods like daphnia or baby brine shrimp several times per week to enhance their natural sheen and improve breeding success.