The White Cloud Mountain Minnow – scientifically known as the Tanichthys albonubes – is a small, beautiful freshwater aquarium fish species. It belongs to the minnow genus (carp family) of fish and is native to China. The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a small and peaceful fish species, making it perfect for a community aquarium. Due to its peaceful nature, it is easy to pair it with a large number of fish species. Also, it is one of those fish species that do not require extreme care and you can easily keep them in your aquariums. Making it a perfect choice for almost any kind of aquarium, be it the aquarium of an expert fish keeper or a beginner.
It is one of those fish species that are easy to breed in aquariums. This has helped in the protection of this species as they have become extinct in their natural habitat. Pollution of the habitat, extreme tourism, and the introduction of predator species have caused their extinction from their natural habitats. Most of them that you see in aquariums are the ones that were brought up in captivity and are the result of captive breeding. Although it is easy to take care of the White Cloud Mountain Minnow in an aquarium, you still need to know about them and how to care for them. Below is a complete guide about the White Cloud Mountain Minnow that will help you in taking care of them in your aquariums.
Basic Facts Table
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Lifespan | Up to 7 years with excellent level care. |
| Size | Up to 1.5 inches. |
| Colors | Silver, Red, Black, and various others. |
| Diet | Omnivore. |
| Habitat | Freshwater |
| Care Level | Minimum. |
| Compatibility | Peaceful community aquariums. |
Tank Companions
Here is a list of the possible tank mates or tank companions of the White Cloud Mountain Minnow.
- Weather Loaches
- Gold Barbs
- Paradise Fish
- Rosy Barbs
- Cherry Barbs
- Dojo Loaches
- Horseface Loaches
- Dwarf Gouramis
- Zebra Danios
- Harlequin Rasboras
- Corydoras Catfish
- Some Shrimp Species and Freshwater Snails can also be kept in the same tank.
How To Select Tank Companions?
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is an amazing fish that can live with a lot of other fish species. It is compatible with almost all of the small aquarium fish species, and some of the large and peaceful species as well. But some fish species do not do well in the same tank with the White Cloud Mountain Minnow. So, when you are selecting a tank mate for the community tank of White Cloud Mountain Minnow, you should try to avoid selecting any of those incompatible fish species. Some strategies can help you select compatible tank mates for this species. Read below to know more about them.
- Select Small Fish Species: when selecting a tank mate for this species, it is better to select smaller tank mates that have a similar size. It will help you maintain a peaceful environment. Large fish species can become a bully in the presence of smaller species and that can cause stress and health issues. To prevent this type of situation, it is advised that the smaller species should be paired with other small fish species. There are a lot of smaller fish species that are compatible with the White Cloud Mountain Minnows and you can keep them in the same tanks. If you are selecting any bigger fish species, make sure that they are peaceful and will not bully or hurt the smaller members such as the White Cloud Mountain Minnow.
- Select Peaceful Species: Selecting a peaceful species for the tank of this species is also important as you do not want your fish to die because of the stress of aggression. There are a lot of small, medium, and large, aggressive fish species. These are not suitable for the community tank of smaller and peaceful fish species such as the White Cloud Mountain Minnows. If you put them in the same tank, it will be disastrous. Also, large fish species are known for attacking, hurting, and eating smaller fish species including White Cloud Mountain Minnows. For that reason, make sure that you only select peaceful tank mates for their tank.
- Consider Living Conditions: It is also important that you consider the living conditions of the fish species that you are selecting for the tank of White Cloud Mountain Minnows. Make sure that it can live in the same type of water, pH levels, hardness, and flow. If it cannot live in similar conditions, you cannot pair them. For example, you cannot put a marine fish in the same tank as the White Cloud Mountain Minnow as they live in freshwater conditions. If you put them both in the same tank, the marine fish would die within no time as it cannot survive the freshwater conditions. For that reason, it is advised to check the living conditions and parameters compatibility of the suitable tank mates.
Keep The White Cloud Mountain Minnow Together:
A lot of fish keepers also advise that you should keep the White Cloud Mountain Minnows together in the same tank. For example, you should keep them in a group of five to six. You need six members of this species to create a school. Keeping a single White Cloud Mountain Minnow can lead to severe stress and even death in some scenarios as this fish is not meant for solitary confinement.
Species Overview
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow fish is found in freshwater aquariums. It is one of the most beautiful fish species that you can get for your community tank. This fish is small, peaceful, beautiful, and colorful. It is also one of those fish species that do not require much attention. You can keep them alive for a long time with minimum effort. The White Cloud Mountain Minnow was native to Chinese rivers, but it has become extinct in most regions. The main reasons behind its extinction include the pollution of water in its natural habitats and the introduction of predatory species that eat them as food.
So, most of the specimens that you find in the aquariums are the ones that were bred in captivity. This fish also has many varieties and subspecies of different colors. Unlike most of the other small fish species, it is a small fish but has a very long lifespan. It remains peaceful most of the time but can become territorial and partially aggressive during the breeding season. So, make sure that you select a balanced amount of Males and females for the community tank of White Cloud Mountain Minnows. They should be kept in groups of five to six to help them form a school (group) and swim together. It is a fish species that live in the middle of your tank. So, you will have to work on creating an interesting middle layer for this fish.
Appearance
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow are some of the smallest species of aquarium fish. Their average size is about 1.5 inches, meaning that they are smaller than most of the danios and tetras. Also, they have the same shape as the other two specs, and that is why they are most often confused with each other. It is one of those species that have multiple varieties depending on coloration and body features. The overall body of this fish is similar to the shape of a pointed dart. White Cloud Mountain Minnows have slim, and streamlined body shapes, which helps them quickly move through the water.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows also display multiple colors, and shades, including gray, brown, red, silver, green, and black. All of these colors can be seen on different parts of this fish’s body. For example, black color is seen near the tail fin. It appears in the form of a black dot near the tail fin. Silver, gray, and brown scales are spread throughout the body of this fish and cover almost every part. Fins near the belly of this fish are more transparent as compared to the tail fin, and fins at the back as they display more reddish, or pinkish tones. Hong Kong Minnow, Golden Minnow, and Meteor Minnow are some of the most famous varieties of this fish that you can get for your aquarium. All of these are a result of inbreeding in captivity.
Origin/Native
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is native to some parts of China, and Vietnam. It was found in the cold rivers, lakes, and floodplains. But now, it has become extinct in its natural habitat due to pollution. It is still found in some areas of Vietnam and efforts are underway to reintroduce this species to its original habitat once again. Most of them that you will see in the aquarium trade are the ones that have been bred in captivity on farms.
Natural Habitat
The natural habitat of this fish was destroyed because of the pollution but according to research, it lived in the cold climates. It was often found in areas where the water temperature was moderately cold and water was neutral and soft. Also, it lived in those places that had green vegetation and cover. White Cloud Mountain Minnows lived near the sides of the river as they cannot swim against the fast-moving water of the river. It prefers the middle layer of the river as it has vegetation that provides them cover and protection against predators.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow Lifespan
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow has a long lifespan. It can live for up to 7 years in your aquariums if the conditions are right. But if you are unable to properly care for them, your fish would still live longer than most of the other smaller species. The average lifespan of White Cloud Mountain Minnow is about 6 years, which can be extended with proper care, and the right type of diet for the fish.
Habitat and Tank Conditions
This fish used to live in freshwater conditions in its native habitats, so when you are making a tank aquarium for this species, you will have to recreate those water and habitat conditions. You can do that by learning about the conditions in which this fish species lived. You need to create settings that are favorable to the White Cloud Mountain Minnow. If conditions in your tank are not favorable, your fish would die sooner. So, if you want to extend their lifespan, and want them to cross their average lifespan limit, you should create a compatible, and favorable habitat and tank setup. There are a few things that can help you create a perfect tank setup, and conditions that will help you prolong the lifespan of your fish and to help you keep it healthy.
Tank Size
Tank size for the aquarium of White Cloud Mountain Minnows is very important. They are a small fish species, and most fish keepers think that they should be kept in very small containers such as 10 to 20 gallons. But if you want to create a community aquarium or aquarium of multiple White Cloud Mountain Minnows, you will need a larger tank. When selecting a tank for this fish species, you need to be very careful. You don’t want to select a tank that is too small or too big.
A smaller tank is hard to maintain as you have to maintain everything on a micro-level, for example, maintaining pH levels, hardness and temperature becomes more difficult. Similarly, an unnecessarily big tank is also a waste of resources. So, you need to select a tank for your aquarium that is not too big or too small. An appropriately sized tank would be the one that has enough capacity to accommodate the needs of its members and is also easy to maintain. According to expert fishkeepers, you should select the tank for White Cloud Mountain Minnows based on the number of fish and fish per gallon ratio.
You can keep a school (6 to 8) of White Cloud Mountain Minnows in a small tank of 10 to 15 gallons. But if you want to keep more than this, or want to add other species to your tank as well, then you will have to select a larger tank. It is better to calculate the size based on the number of fish that you have and the average fish per gallon ratio for the members of your tank. It will give you a rough idea about the size of the tank that you need.
Tank Setup
After you are done with the selection of the tank, it will be time to start working on preparing your tank to hold the White Cloud Mountain Minnow. You can do that by creating a perfect tank setup that has everything including plants, caves, and decorations, and also essential maintenance systems. First, you need to start from the bottom of the tank. You need to select a substrate that is soft, and easy to clean. After that, you need to put a layer of that substrate at the bottom of the tank. You can also add some stones, pebbles, and sand above the substrate to make it look more real and natural.
Once you are done with that, you can start planting aquatic plants in your aquarium. Aquatic plants are very important in the tank of White Cloud Mountain Minnows as they provide oxygen. There are a lot of plants that you can select for the tank of these fish. You should select the ones that are small and that provide a dense cover for the fish to hide and lay eggs. After that, you should start putting decorations in the tank. These decorations include caves, ladders, stones, and driftwood. After that, you can start putting filters, heaters, lights, and other important devices in the tank.
Make sure to use an appropriately powerful filter that can quickly cycle the water and produce a sufficient amount of current or flow in your tank. Also, select a water heater or monitoring device that can help you monitor and maintain the temperature of your aquarium. Aquatic lights are used for making your aquarium look brighter. After you are done putting these devices, the aquarium setup for the White Cloud Mountain Minnows would have been complete.
Water Conditions/Parameters
Here are the living conditions or water parameters that you will have to constantly maintain in the tank of White Cloud Mountain Minnow fish.
- Temperature = 64 to 72°F (16 to 22°C)
- Hardness = 5 to 19, dH
- the pH of water = 6 – 8. Neutral is better.
You can keep them in slightly low temperatures, even below the given range, but the upper-temperature limit should never exceed as they cannot live in warm conditions and would quickly die if the temperature is raised above 80 F. It is also better to maintain neutral pH and keep the hardness within the given range. If you fail to maintain these parameters, it would lead to severe health conditions and then the death of your fish. For that reason, it is very important to prevent any changes and maintain these parameters within the recommended ranges.
Water Source
For the tank of White Cloud Mountain Minnows, you can use water from multiple sources. For example, you can use the water from your tap if it is filtered, and also the water from any river, lake, or stream. But you must make sure that the water you are using for the tank of White Cloud Mountain Minnows is clean and has been filtered. Unfiltered or unclean water is unsafe for use as it contains bacteria and other harmful elements that can kill your fish.
Behavior and Temperament
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is known for being a very peaceful species of fish. They live most of their lives wandering in your aquarium, minding their own business. But during the time of breeding, you might see some signs of aggression. In Particular, you will notice that male members of your tank are competing for courting females. It is typical behavior that is only seen during breeding.
This is a schooling species of fish, which means it would form a group and would prefer to swim in that group instead of wandering alone. You may notice that one member of the group is hiding from the rest as they sometimes avoid fights by running away and hiding in the plants. Apart from that, their behavior would be peaceful, and playful and if you like watching the fish swim, you would love to have them in your aquarium as they are constant swimmers and a hyperactive species of fish.
Breeding White Cloud Mountain Minnow
The White Cloud Mountain Minnows are easy to breed. Here is a guide for breeding them inside the tank.
- The white cloud mountain minnows have a very long breeding cycle. So you will have to be patient when trying to breed them in captivity. Their breeding time starts in March and ends in October. Also, they breed multiple times during this cycle.
- Most fishkeepers agree that you should put an equal number of males and females in your tank for breeding. This will prevent or minimize the risk of fighting in your aquarium.
- During the breeding cycle, males would court the females and would spawn with them. Females would then produce eggs and then scatter them throughout the tank.
- After that, you should remove both males and females from the tank to prevent them from eating their eggs. Leave the eggs in the tank and wait for them to hatch.
Eggs and Fry Care
The eggs of White Cloud Mountain Minnows can take up to 48 hours to hatch. You will notice a bunch of very small fry. The fry would eat their egg sacs at first, and then they would be ready to be fed the liquid fry diet that is available in the markets.
Diet of White Cloud Mountain Minnow
The diet of White Cloud Mountain Minnows is an omnivore, which means they eat everything that they can find in their native habitats. In aquariums, this makes it easy for you to feed them as you will have multiple options. It is better to feed them according to a diet plan. You should include protein-rich, and frozen meat in their diet. Also, include algae pellets in their food. Some fishkeepers also feed them vegetables and live worms to provide them with a balanced diet.
Diseases of White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Here is a list of the possible diseases of White Cloud Mountain Minnow fish.
- Ich: It is one of the most common health issues in fish species. It mostly happens because of the parasites. This disease causes the formation of white spots on the scales of fish. If you find any indications of this disease, quarantine your fish, and treat them. Also, clean your entire tank and recycle the water.
- Dropsy: Dropsy is also one of the major health problems in this fish species. It causes the internal organs to swell. It is identified by the swollen bellies of White Cloud Mountain Minnows. You should quarantine the infected fish, treat them, and clean your entire tank.
What is the Ideal Size For The Tank?
The ideal size for the tank of White Cloud Mountain Minnows is 10 to 15 gallons if you are keeping five to six members. But if you want to keep a larger population or want to add other species, it is better to select a larger tank. Try to prevent overcrowding at all costs as that can cause stress and health issues in your fish.
Is White Cloud Mountain Minnow Saltwater or Freshwater Species?
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a freshwater fish species from China and Vietnam.
Conclusion – Is White Cloud Mountain Minnow Suitable For Your Aquarium?
Yes, the White Cloud Mountain Minnow is suitable for any aquarium as it is a small, beautiful, playful, and peaceful fish species. It is one of those fish species that are hyperactive and whenever you are near the tank, you will notice them swimming in the tank. Also, they have multiple colors and beautiful body structures. You can easily care for them in your tank and breed them as well. If you keep them in your tank, you will be able to enjoy their presence, and darting through your tank in the groups. Also, this fish species will help you learn the art of fish keeping. It would survive a few mistakes that most new fish keepers make and that is why it is one of the best species for beginners.
FAQs
Question: What is the average lifespan of White Cloud Mountain Minnows?
Answer: The average lifespan of White Cloud Mountain Minnows is 6 years in aquariums. But this lifespan can be extended with excellent care and proper diet.
Question: How many White Cloud Mountain Minnows are in a 10 gallons tank?
Answer: You can keep 5 to 7 White Cloud Mountain Minnows in a tank of 10 gallons capacity.
Question: How big can a White Cloud Mountain Minnow grow?
Answer: A White Cloud Mountain Minnow can grow up to 1.5 inches. Male members of this species are longer, females however are more round and thicker around the bellies.
