White Cloud Mountain Minnow: Species Profile

Category: Danios

Common Names: White Cloud Mountain Minnow, Feeder White Clouds, Chinese Danio

Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes

Family: Cyprinidae

Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Max Size: 2 Inches

Temperature: 45-72 F

pH: 6.5-7.5

Tank Level: All

Colors: Silver, Black

Diet: Omnivore

Breeding: Moderate

White Cloud Mountain Minnow Species Overview

White Cloud Mountain minnows (Tanichthys albonubes) have gained popularity over time due to their unique nature. They are very active fish, and their bright coloration makes them an attractive addition to any tank.

They are popular for beginner aquarium enthusiasts due to their small size and peaceful nature.

White Cloud Mountain minnows are also relatively easy to care for, as they tolerate a wide range of water conditions.

Distinguishing Features

The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a beautiful fish that is easy to care for and makes a great addition to any freshwater aquarium. These fish are relatively small, growing up to 1.5 inches in length, and are silver-green with a bright red caudal and dorsal fin.

Their snouts are red and protruding, and they have triangular-shaped dorsal and ventral fins that point towards the back of their bodies. Their scales are silver, sometimes green, and have shimmering pink and black lines decorating their lateral lines.

White Cloud Mountain minnows are tranquil fish that flourish in community tanks.

There are two types of White Cloud Mountain minnows:

• Golden Cloud – has a gold body and red markings on each side of the head.
• Meteor minnow – has long reddish fins.

Apart from these few distinguishing features, both types of White Cloud Mountain minnows look very similar.

Origin

White Cloud Mountain minnows are freshwater fish from the White Cloud Mountains in Guangzhou, China. The White Cloud Mountains are home to many rocky streams with clear, freshwater – perfect for the minnows.

The streams are also vegetation-rich, providing the minnows with plenty of places to hide and forage. Some of the aquatic plants that grow in these streams include

• Ferns
• Moss
• Angel tears

Size

The White Cloud Mountain minnow is generally a small fish. Adults typically reach a length of 1.5 inches or less.

There is also some size variation between genders, with females typically slightly larger than males.

Lifespan

White Cloud Mountain minnows typically live in the wild for 3 to 5 years. However, they can live much longer in aquariums – up to 7 years or more.

However, their lifespan will be significantly shortened if not well taken care of.

Genders

Telling the difference between a male and female White Cloud Mountain minnow can be difficult, as they are very similar in appearance. However, there are a few key ways to tell them apart.

• Males tend to have more vibrant red fins than females.
• The dorsal and caudal fins in males have a bit of red, while females do not.
• Males tend to be smaller than females, although this can be tricky to judge if you don’t have any other fish to compare them to.
• In males, there is a dash of red in their mouths, whereas, in females, there is none.

Temperament

The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a peaceful fish that gets along well with others. However, it is a schooling fish, so it does best when kept in groups.

Males and females have similar temperaments. However, there can be some aggression between males during the breeding season.

Females are generally more peaceful than males, but they may also become more territorial when ready to spawn.

The biggest driver of aggression in this fish is the need to establish and maintain a hierarchy within the school.

Once the hierarchy is established, the fish will generally get along well.

If there is a perceived threat to the school, such as a predator or another school of fish, the White Cloud Mountain minnows will band together to defend their territory.

However, this peaceful fish makes a great addition to any community aquarium.

Tank Parameters

Based on their natural habitat, White Cloud Mountain minnows have specific minimum parameters to be met to be comfortable in an aquarium.

Minimum Tank Size

White Cloud Mountain minnow typically inhabits streams and rivers with rocky substrates in the wild. In an aquarium, they can be kept in either a community tank or a nano tank.

However, it is essential to note that they should not be kept in tanks less than 10 gallons in size. This is because White Cloud Mountain minnows are active swimmers and prefer to live in groups.

They need plenty of space to move around and interact with their tank mates.

In addition, they are susceptible to stress and may become ill if they do not have enough room to hide. For these reasons, providing them with a minimum tank size of 10 gallons is best.

Water Parameters

Like all fish, the White Cloud Mountain minnow has specific requirements when it comes to water quality.

Temperature

White Cloud Mountain minnows should be kept in water between 60 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

pH

The pH level of the water should be between 6.5 and 7.5.

Salinity

The salinity should be less than 1%.

If these parameters are not met, the fish can become stressed, leading to serious health problems.

Therefore, ensuring that the water in your aquarium meets these requirements is essential before adding White Cloud Mountain minnows.

Tank Setup

There are a few things to remember when setting up a tank for the White Cloud Mountain minnow.

Substrate

The substrate is important when setting up a tank for the White Cloud Mountain minnow. Ideally, the substrate should be soft and sandy, with plenty of hiding places for the fish.

Decoration

Decorating a White Cloud Mountain minnow tank is mostly a matter of personal preference. However, a few key considerations should be kept in mind.

First, it is important to choose decorations that will not disturb the delicate balance of the ecosystem in the tank.

Second, the decorations should provide hiding places for the fish and create a sense of privacy.

Lastly, the decorations should be placed so that they do not block the flow of water or impede filtration.

Plants

Choosing the right plants is important when setting up a tank for White Cloud Mountain minnows. While these fish are not overly demanding, they prefer a tank with plenty of vegetation.

For specific plants, java fern and anubias are always a good choice. These plants are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.

Another plant to consider is cryptocoryne, which comes in various colors and can add some visual interest to the tank.

As for plants, you should avoid anything with sharp leaves or spiky stems, as the minnows may injure themselves on these.

If you choose safe plants and plenty of hiding places, your White Cloud Mountain minnows will be happy and healthy.

Lighting

Consider the lighting when setting up a tank for the White Cloud Mountain minnow. These fish do best in a well-lit tank, with plenty of light to encourage plant growth.

However, they also appreciate shady areas where they can rest and escape the bright lights. Live plants are an excellent way to provide both well-lit and shaded areas.

Aquatic plants need light to grow, which will help brighten up the tank while providing hiding places for the fish.

Filtration

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are sensitive to turbulent waters, so choosing a filtration system that will provide gentle, consistent filtration is a must.

Canister filters and hang-on-back filters are both excellent options for this. Secondly, because White Cloud Mountain minnows are native to cool waters, their tank should be kept between 60 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heating

White Cloud Mountain minnows prefer cool water, so a good starting point is around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Maintaining a consistent temperature is also important, as sudden changes can be stressful for the fish.

A quality aquarium heater can help ensure the water stays steady.

In addition, it’s important to position the heater carefully. For example, the heater should be placed in an area with good water circulation to prevent hot spots from forming.

Diet

White Cloud Mountain minnows are omnivorous and eat plant and animal matter. In the wild, their diet consists of small insects, crustaceans, and algae.

In an aquarium, a variety of foods can be fed to them, including:

• Pellets
• Flakes
• Live food
• Frozen foods

A varied diet is essential to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients.

Giving them small amounts several times a day is best when feeding White Cloud Mountain minnows.

This will help prevent overfeeding and ensure that they have enough to eat.

Breeding

In the wild, White Cloud Mountain minnows typically breed in the spring when the water temperature rises. As a result, the males will become more aggressive and chase the females during this time.

The female scatters her eggs in the tank, while the male releases sperm and fertilizes them. After spawning, the parents should be removed from the tank to prevent them from eating the eggs.

The best way to ensure successful breeding is to mimic the conditions in their natural habitat. This means keeping the water temperature between 60 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit and providing plenty of vegetation for the fry to hide in.

When the fry hatch, they will be very small and vulnerable. For this reason, it’s crucial to have a fine-mesh filter in the tank to prevent them from being sucked up.

Common Diseases

White Cloud Mountain minnows are relatively hardy fish but can still fall prey to disease if their tank is not maintained correctly. Some of the most common diseases that affect White Cloud Mountain minnows include:

Ich (White Spot Disease)

Ich is a parasitic disease characterized by white spots on the fish. This disease is most commonly caused by poor water quality and can be fatal if left untreated.

It is essential to raise the water temperature and perform frequent water changes to treat ich.

Columnaris

Columnaris is a bacterial disease affecting the fish’s skin and fins. This disease is often caused by poor water quality and can be fatal if left untreated.

It is essential to improve the water quality and perform frequent water changes to do away with columnaris.

Dropsy

The main symptom of dropsy is a bloated appearance caused by an accumulation of fluid in the fish’s body.

Dropsical fish often have raised scales and may appear lethargic. The disease is caused by a bacteria known as Flavobacterium columnaris and can be spread through contaminated water or contact with infected fish.

Dropsy may also be caused by poor water quality or stress from shipping. There are a few different ways to treat dropsy, but the most effective method is to use a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment may need to be continued for several weeks. In some cases, however, dropsy can be fatal.

Fin Rot

Fin rot is a disease that affects the fins of the fish. This disease is often caused by poor water quality and can be fatal if left untreated.

Improving the water quality and performing frequent water changes to treat fin rot is essential.

Streptococcal Infections

These infections are caused by a bacteria known as Streptococcus iniae. This bacteria can cause various symptoms, including red streaks on the body, swollen fins, and ulcers.

Streptococcal infections are often fatal if left untreated. The best way to treat this infection is with a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Potential Tank Mates

White Cloud Mountain minnows are a mild-mannered species that can go well in almost any tank.

When stocking your tank, look for other tranquil fish that will not outcompete the minnows for food. Good choices include:

• Rasboras, tetras, and guppies
• Mollies
• Zebra Danio
• Odessa Barb

It is also important to choose fish with similar temperature and flow preferences.

Since White Cloud Mountain minnows prefer cool water with low to moderate flow, avoid tropical fish requiring higher temperatures.

Takeaway

White Cloud Mountain minnows are great for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.

These hardy fish are relatively easy to care for and make a great addition to many community tanks.

When choosing tank mates, look for other peaceful fish with similar temperature and flow preferences.

Your White Cloud Mountain minnows will thrive in your aquarium for years with proper care.