The White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a small, peaceful freshwater fish that’s perfect for beginners.
This species is incredibly easy to care for and can live in a wide range of water conditions. They’re also very hardy, which makes them ideal for new aquarium owners.
White Cloud Mountain minnows are a great addition to any community tank. They’re active and playful, and their bright colors add a splash of contrast.
In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about White Cloud Mountain minnow care. tank mates, diet, lifespan, and more.
Table of contents
Species overview
The White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a freshwater fish that’s native to a handful of rivers in Southern China. These rivers include the Pearl River, the Yangtze River, and the Zhujiang River.
They prefer cool waters with a lot of vegetation, and they are commonly found in rice paddies. In the wild, they eat a diet of small invertebrates and plants.
These fish are very popular in the aquarium trade due to their hardiness and their bright coloration. They are also one of the few freshwater fish that can tolerate cold water temperatures.
Due to their popularity, White Cloud Mountain minnows are sometimes considered to be an invasive species. This is because they have been introduced to a number of different countries and ecosystems where they are not native.
Appearance
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a small and delicate-looking fish. As their name suggests, these fish are mostly white with a few dark patches on their bodies. The dark patches are usually on their dorsal fins and their caudal peduncles.
Males tend to be more colorful than females with more intense coloring on their fins. The amount of color can also vary depending on the time of year and the temperature of the water.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows have a long and thin body that tapers down at the end. They have a single dorsal fin that’s located towards the back of their bodies.
Their anal fins and pectoral fins are small and delicate. Their caudal fins are forked and also quite delicate-looking.
One of the most interesting things about these fish is their eyes. They have large eyes that are almost bulging out of their heads. This gives them a very expressive and cute appearance.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of White Cloud Mountain minnows is 2 to 4 years. There are a number of factors that impact their life expectancy.
For starters. if these fish haven’t reproduced then their lifespan will usually be on the higher side of this range. That process can really take a toll on the fish.
The general level of care they receive obviously matters a great deal as well. Even though these are very hardy fish, they’ll obviously live longer in optimal conditions.
Size
The average size of a White Cloud Mountain minnow is between 1 and 2 inches long. However, they have been known to grow up to 3 inches in length in some cases.
Tank
Tank Size
The recommended tank size for White Cloud Mountain Minnows is 10 gallons. If you’re looking for a small freshwater fish that can fit in a nano tank, this is a good option.
Even though they’re small, we still recommend a tank that’s at least 10 gallons so they have enough space to swim around and be comfortable. If you want to keep a school of these fish, you’ll need an additional 2 to 4 gallons per fish.
Water Parameters
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a freshwater fish that is originally from China. In the wild, they can be found in clear streams with rocky bottoms and plenty of vegetation.
They’re a hardy fish that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters. However, for optimal health, it’s best to maintain the following water parameters.
- Water Temperature: 68°F to 75°F
- pH Levels: 6.0 to 8.0
- Water Hardness: 5 to 19 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 3 to 10 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
When it comes to setting up the inside of an aquarium for White Cloud Mountain Minnows you can be as creative as you want. There aren’t any specific things that this species NEEDS to have, which gives you plenty of options.
We recommend some of the standard decorations that you find in a lot of freshwater tanks. There are a ton of great plants you can include (like hornwort or water wisteria). You can even throw in some floating aquarium plants too!
Rocks, driftwood, and caves are all suitable as well. It’s important to avoid going overboard with this since these fish like some room to swim.
Also, if you’re keeping your White Cloud Mountain Minnows in a smaller tank then it’s going to be difficult to include a lot of this stuff anyway.
A classic gravel substrate is always a good choice, but you can do with something soft and sandy if needed too (use other species you keep as a guide with this).
Common Diseases
White Cloud Mountain minnows are relatively hardy fish, but they can still get sick from time to time.
The most common illness that these fish experience is ich. This is a parasitic infection that’s quite common in freshwater fish.
The symptoms of ich are pretty easy to spot. Your fish will develop white spots on their body, fins, and gills. In some cases, these spots will turn red or brown.
If you think your fish might have ich, the best thing to do is to consult a vet. They will be able to prescribe the necessary medication to treat the infection.
As we mentioned, ich is the most common illness that White Cloud Mountain minnows experience. However, there are other potential diseases that these fish can get as well.
Some other things to look out for include fungal infections, bacterial infections, and parasites. These are all relatively easy to treat if you catch them early, but they can quickly become serious if left untreated.
Behavior & Temperament
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a peaceful fish that does well in a community tank. It is active and loves to swim, but it is not aggressive. In fact, it is quite shy.
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a schooling fish, so it does best when it is kept in a group. It is very social and will not do well if it is the only fish in the tank. It is also a very active swimmer, so it needs a tank with plenty of space.
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is not a picky eater. It will eat just about anything, but it is especially fond of live food.
Tank Mates
White Cloud Mountain minnows are peaceful and can get along with most other species. In fact, they’re often used as dither fish to help shy fish feel more comfortable in the open.
These fish are also schooling fish. As a result, they do best when kept in groups of 6 or more. This is something to consider when choosing tank mates.
You’ll want to avoid anything that’s too large or aggressive. Other than that, the sky’s the limit!
Here are some compatible tank mates that do well with White Cloud Mountain minnows:
- Neon Tetras
- Cardinal Tetras
- Ghost Shrimp
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platies
- Corydoras Catfish
- Otocinclus Catfish
Breeding
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is another easy fish to breed in captivity. These fish are known for being great parents, which makes the process even simpler.
To start, you’ll need to identify the males and females. Males are typically larger and have longer fins. Females are rounder in the belly area and have shorter fins.
Once you’ve determined the sexes of your fish, it’s time to set up the breeding tank. White Cloud Mountain minnows prefer cooler water, so aim for a temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
The tank should also be well-aerated and have a sponge filter. These fish are known for being jumpers, so you may want to cover the tank as well.
When the tank is ready, add some live plants and moss. This will give the fry a place to hide when they’re born. Java moss is a good option.
Once the tank is set up, it’s time to add the adults. You’ll want to have two females for every male. These fish are known for being aggressive, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
The fish will spawn in the morning. The female will lay her eggs on the plants, and the male will fertilize them. After that, the male will guard the eggs until they hatch.
The eggs will hatch in about 24 hours. Once they do, it’s time to remove the adults. They may start to eat the fry if you leave them in.
The fry will feed on microscopic organisms in the water. You can supplement their diet with baby brine shrimp or other live foods.
Conclusion
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is an excellent beginner fish. They’re very easy to take care of and are very peaceful, making them a great addition to community tanks.
They’re also very hardy, so they can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. This makes them a great choice for beginner fishkeepers who are still getting the hang of things.
Overall, we think the White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a great choice for anyone looking for a low-maintenance fish that will add some beauty to their tank.
