Javanese Ricefish (Oryzias javanicus)

Javanese Ricefish (Oryzias javanicus)

A school of Javanese Ricefish at Pasir Ris Park's Mangrove Boardwalk (Photograph by: Lumin Ong)

Family: Adrianichthyidae
Species Name: Oryzias javanicus
Common Name(s): Javanese Ricefish

Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Various brackish and freshwater habitats like mangrove swamps and canals.
Conservation status: Least Concern (Red Data Book 3)

A small but very adaptable fish commonly seen in not only our estuaries, but sometimes also in freshwater as well. The Javanese Ricefish can be found in schools of varying sizes and are recognizable by their guppy-like appearance. They have a distinct yellow ring around their tail which helps to separate them from other ricefish species found in the region.

Growing to a maximum size of 4.5cm, the Javanese Ricefish is mainly a micropredator of tiny crustaceans and protozoa but are known to consume detritus and algae too. 

The female carries her eggs outside her genital pore via filaments.

A Javanese Ricefish at Eagle Point during a rising tide.

References

• FishBase. Oryzias javanicus (Bleeker, 1854) – Javanese Ricefish. Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Oryzias-javanicus.html.
• Lim, K.K.P. & Low, J.K.Y. 1998. A Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, 163 pp. ISBN 981-00-9904-5.
• National Parks Board (NParks). Marine Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/marine-fishes.