Fish mating experiment in space--what it aimed at and how it was prepared

Biol Sci Space. 1995 Mar;9(1):3-16. doi: 10.2187/bss.9.3.

Abstract

The code name 'MEDAKA' was given to the fish experiment in the IML-2 (the second International Microgravity Laboratory), a Space-shuttle mission (STS-65) carried out in July 1994. Medaka is the Japanese name for a small fresh-water fish, Oryzias latipes. This experiment titled 'Mating behavior of the fish Medaka and development of their eggs in space' aimed to present data for designing the future fish-culture in space. The Medaka experiment accomplished its objectives to the point of 100%. The fish mated, laid eggs in space, and these eggs developed normally to hatching (coming out as a baby fish) under microgravity. Its success totally depended on selection of the four fish sent to space. This paper describes the aims of the IML-2 Medaka fish experiment and how it was prepared, together with a brief report on what were achieved in space.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaculture
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Female
  • Fertilization
  • Larva
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / genetics
  • Oryzias / genetics
  • Oryzias / growth & development*
  • Oryzias / physiology
  • Reproduction / physiology*
  • Research Design
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal*
  • Space Flight*
  • Swimming
  • Weightlessness*