Factors influencing elongation of the ovipositor in the bitterling Rhodeus uyekii were examined under several conditions. The ovipositors of the females were periodically elongated under the presence of mussels or males, and in some cases without either. When females were reared without mussels and males, the ovipositor did not elongate in one fish in a large aquarium, but it did become elongated in another fish in a small aquarium and in many fishes in a large aquarium. Duration of the elongated state of the ovipositor was 1~3 days (mean 1.2~2.5 days) and the periodicity of elongation was 4~15 days (mean 6.4~11.9 days). Length of the elongated ovipositor was 68~100% (mean 78.5~98.8%). Length of ovipositor in the interpeak period was 20~51% (mean 27.3~33.1%); in the post-elongation period it did not elongated further 3~30% (mean 11.1~19.9%). The effect of aquarium size and number of individuals in the aquarium on the elongation of the ovipositor, and inter-specific or inter-generic differences based on previous reports are discussed.