Oryziatidae

views updated

Oryziatidae (medaka; subclass Actinopterygii, order Atheriniformes) A small family of egg-laying toothcarps that are small, mainly surface-living fish inhabiting freshwater floodplains and coastal, brackish-water marshes. They are closely related to the true toothcarps (Cyprinodontidae). The slim-bodied Oryzias latipes (medaka), which grows to 4 cm, has a flattened head with a single dorsal fin placed near the tail. There are about seven species, found in the river systems of eastern Asia.