Tips on Keeping and Feeding White Cloud Mountain Minnows
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a small freshwater fish from the carp family and native to Asia. The White Cloud Mountain minnow was first introduced to Germany in the late 1930s and became soon a popular aquarium fish.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow Profile
- Scientific name: Tanichthys albonubes
- Origin: Southern China and Vietnam
- Size: up to 4 cm (1½ inches)
- Life span: up to 9 years
- Aquarium minimum size: 60 cm (24 inches) length
- Recommended water temperature: 16 - 22 °C (60 – 71.6 °F)
- Diet: omnivorous
Characteristics of the White Cloud Mountain Minnow
The White Cloud Mountain minnow reaches a size between 2.5 and 4 centimetres. Its elongated body is flattened on the sides and its scales are greyish-green to brownish-green in colour, with the belly of the fish being lighter than the rest of the body. Female White Cloud Mountain minnows are usually noticeably paler than their male counterparts. They are also a bit stronger. The White Cloud Mountain minnow's fins are yellow or green, and the tips are usually white.
The caudal fin of the White Cloud Mountain minnow is partly coloured red. In addition, there is a noticeable black spot at its base. A shiny longitudinal band extends across the entire body of the fish.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow Life Expectancy
With a little luck, White Cloud Mountain minnows can reach an age of up to nine years if kept in good conditions.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow Origin
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is native to southern China and Vietnam, where it lives in slowly flowing, clear streams with dense vegetation. Wild populations are now rare. At times, the White Cloud Mountain Minnow was even considered to be completely extinct in the wild.
However, the small, frugal ornamental fish is still very popular for fish keeping. Accordingly, the White Cloud Mountain minnow has been successfully bred in many countries for decades.
Keeping White Cloud Mountain Minnows
White Cloud Mountain minnows are generally robust and easy to keep in a tank which is at least 60 centimetres long. These aquarium fish are therefore well suited even for beginners.
However, it is important to ensure that the water temperature is correct, which is between 16 and 22 ° C. At higher temperatures, the susceptibility of small aquarium fish to disease increases significantly. The pH level of the water should be between 6 and 8.
In summer, White Cloud Mountain minnows can be moved to the garden pond and kept there temporarily. For the winter it is often recommended to reduce the water temperature in the aquarium a little in order to imitate the temperature fluctuations in the great outdoors. This is said to have a positive effect on the resilience and life expectancy of the White Cloud Mountain minnow.
Setting up a Fish Tank for White Cloud Mountain Minnows
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a lively fish that needs plenty of space to swim. It is therefore important that there is sufficient open space in the aquarium. The edges, on the other hand, can be densely planted so that the animals can withdraw and hide if necessary.
Socialising White Cloud Mountain Minnows
White Cloud Mountain minnows are generally peaceful aquarium inhabitants. They feel most comfortable in groups of eight to twelve fish. However, it should be noted that males sometimes tend to fight their territory if too many of them have to get along in a confined space.
The socialisation of White Cloud Mountain minnows is normally unproblematic. However, the tank mates should not be too big and also be peaceful. Danio margaritatus and smaller catfish, for example, are well suited.
Breeding White Cloud Mountain Minnows
Sometimes the parents will eat the eggs and the newly hatched offspring even if they are generously fed. Apart from that, the breeding of White Cloud Mountain minnows is not difficult.
White Cloud Mountain minnows lay adhesive eggs onto plants. The female therefore needs suitable aquatic plants on which to spawn. To increase the likelihood of breeding, it is helpful to temporarily raise the temperature of the water.
The larvae hatch after about two to three days. After they have completely consumed their yolk sac, the young animals are first fed with infusoria. After about two weeks, the diet of the small White Cloud Mountain minnows can then be switched to powder food and Artemia larvae.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow Diseases
White Cloud Mountain minnows are fairly resilient animals that are not overly prone to disease. Of course, that doesn't mean that the fish can't get sick at all. As already mentioned, a water temperature that is too high can significantly increase the likelihood of health problems.
Fish diseases that can occur in White Cloud Mountain minnows include, for example, various bacterial infections. Apart from that, an infestation with gill worms and other parasites is also possible. It is often advisable to move sick animals to a quarantine tank. In this way, the risk of infecting the other fish in the aquarium can be reduced.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow Diet
White Cloud Mountain minnows are omnivores. The animals are not too picky about their food. However, their mouth is quite small and this must be taken into account when choosing fish food. A high-quality flake food, for example, is a good choice and is generally well accepted by White Cloud Mountain minnows. In addition, their menu can be enriched from time to time with small live food, such as Cyclops.
Aquaris Fish Food for White Cloud Mountain Minnows
If you want to provide your White Cloud Mountain minnows with all the essential nutrients they need, you have come to the right place with Aquaris ornamental fish food. Aquaris Flakes is a high-quality flake food in our range, which is characterised by its carefully developed recipe containing selected raw materials and its excellent wholesomeness. The food is also easy to digest, so that the aquarium water is not unnecessarily polluted by the excretions of your White Cloud Mountain minnows.