About Oryzias sinensis Chen, Uwa & Chu, 1989
The Chinese rice fish, scientifically known as Oryzias sinensis, is a species of freshwater fish belonging to the genus Oryzias. This species can reach a maximum length of 3.1 cm (1.2 inches). It naturally inhabits swamps, stagnant sections of streams, rice fields, and marshes. Oryzias sinensis was historically classified as a subspecies of the Japanese rice fish Oryzias latipes. Its native distribution spans East and Southeast Asia, covering the Yangtze, Mekong, Irrawaddy, Salween, Red River, and Nanpangjiang basins. It has been introduced to Kazakhstan and Russia, specifically in the lower Kuban drainage, and is currently spreading through the Azov basin; individuals have also been found in the Obytichna River in Ukraine. Chinese rice fish are widely used as model organisms in research. They are simple to keep in captivity because they have low requirements for diet and habitat. Their short generation times and transparent eggs also make them excellent subjects for observational studies.
