White Cloud Mountain Minnow 101: Species Summary & Detailed Care Guide (2024)

By: Martin McAdam
Updated: March 23, 2022

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a small fish known as Tanichthys Albonubes and White cloud Mountain Fish found in streams and ponds in Southeast Asia. This species is popular as a pet and is also used for research purposes.

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow has a slender body typically about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in length. The body is pale silver or light blue, and two black stripes run along the sides of the fish. The dorsal (upper) fin is black, and the anal (lower) fin is red. The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a peaceful fish and is one of the easiest freshwater fish to care for.

Species Summary

Discovered in: 1930
Range: Southeast Asia
Type: Freshwater fish
Physical characteristics: Slender body
Behavior & temperament: Peaceful
White Cloud Mountain Minnow species summary

This species is popular as a pet and is also used for research purposes. The white cloud mountain minnow is a peaceful fish and does not require a lot of maintenance. This species can be kept in a small aquarium.

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Habitat

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is found in streams and ponds in Southeast Asia. This species is most commonly found in China but can also be found in other countries in the region, including Vietnam and Thailand.

Related: African Cichlid Care Guide: Diet, Tankmates, Lifespan & All

Behaviour & Temperament

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are peaceful fish that get along well with other fish. They are a good choice for a community tank. They are active fish that like to swim around and play in the water. They are also known to be very playful when breeding, often chasing each other around the tank. They are hardy fish that is easy to care for, and they make a good choice for a beginner fish keeper.

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are small, peaceful fish native to the streams of China. They are a good choice for a community tank and get along well with other fish. They are active fish that like to swim around and play in the water. They are also very playful when breeding, often chasing each other around the tank. They like a tank that has plenty of hiding places and subdued light. You can also add some rocks to the tank to create a waterfall effect.

When a White Cloud Mountain Minnow is kept alone, it can become very skittish and may hide in the corner of the tank. If this happens, you can try adding a school of fish to the tank so that they will feel more comfortable. A large group of fish will help to make them feel safe.

Aggression is only an issue with breeding males. The male will become very aggressive towards any other fish in the tank and can often be seen chasing them around. You can minimize this aggression by providing plenty of hiding places for the other fish.

Reproduction

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow typically spawns in the spring. The male and female fish come together to form a nest, and the female lays her eggs on the underside of a leaf. The male then fertilizes the eggs. After spawning, the parents depart and do not care for the eggs. The eggs hatch in about 2 days, and the young fish become independent shortly after that.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow reproduction

Community Interactions

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a peaceful fish and does not bother other fish species. This species can be kept in a small aquarium with other peaceful fish species.

Lifespan

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow has a lifespan of 5 years or above.

Appearance & Average Size

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow has a slender body typically about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in length. The body is pale silver or light blue, and two black stripes run along the sides of the fish. The dorsal (upper) fin is black, and the anal (lower) fin is red.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow Appearance & Average Size

Breeding

White Cloud Mountain Minnow breeding is easiest with a 20 gallon (long) tank. You will also need a spawning mop, some Java Fern or Anubias plants, and an air stone. The water should be slightly acidic (pH 6.0-8.0) and well oxygenated. To induce breeding, you can provide a high protein diet.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow breeding

These fish make an excellent choice for a beginner breeder. They are easily bred , and the fry is quite hardy. Creating a separate breeding tank is not necessary, as the fish will breed in community tanks. After that, they can be gradually weaned onto other foods.

Raise the temperature closer to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The fish will breed on their own and will usually lay their eggs on plants or rocks. The eggs will hatch in about 2 days, and the young fish will be able to care for themselves shortly after that. White Cloud Mountain Minnows are hardy fish that is easy to care for, and they make a good choice for a beginner fish keeper.

When the fry is first born, they will not be able to eat solid food. You will need to feed them a liquid diet until they can eat solid food. Some good choices for a liquid diet include:

  • Infusoria
  • Paramecium
  • Brine shrimp nauplii
  • Brewer’s yeast
  • Fruit juice
  • Aquarium water
  • Mashed-up flakes or pellets

When they’re big enough, you can gradually transition them over to a diet of crushed flake foods or pellets.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow fry will grow quickly, and they should be able to breed by the time they are six months old. If you are looking for a fish that is easy to breed and care for, the White Cloud Mountain Minnow is great.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow Care Guide

White Cloud Mountain Minnow Care is easy, and they make great pets. However, these fish should not be kept in an aquarium with aggressive fish.

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow needs a tank that is at least 10 gallons, but 20 gallons or more is better. In the tank, including some plants and rocks, along with a filter and heater. The water should be kept at a temperature of around 41°F to 72°F.

The diet of the White Cloud Mountain Minnow should include both live and frozen foods. They will eat most kinds of food but should be given a balance of plant and protein matter.

To breed the White Cloud Mountain Minnows, provide a tank that is at least 20 gallons with some soft plants. Include a spawning mop, and the water should be well oxygenated. The fish will breed on their own and will usually lay their eggs on plants or rocks. The eggs will hatch in about 2 days, and the young fish will be able to care for themselves shortly after that.

Food & Diet

You will need to provide your White Cloud Mountain Minnow with a diet that is rich in both plant and protein matter. They will eat most kinds of food but should be given a balance of both. You can feed them flake food, freeze-dried food, or live food. Some good choices for freeze-dried food are bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow Food & Diet

You can also feed them a variety of live plants. Some good choices are Java Fern, Anubias, and Hornwort. These plants will help to keep your fish healthy and happy.

Tank Mates

Finding suitable tank mates for a White Cloud Mountain Minnow can be a bit difficult because of their small size. They will do well with other small fish, such as Guppies, Danios, and Tetras. You should avoid larger fish, such as Goldfish and Cichlids, as they will prey on the smaller fish.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank mates

All species should be small and schooling. Larger fish will see the Minnow as an easy snack and eventually kill it. You can also house them with other Mountain Minnows, but they do best in groups of six or more. Avoid putting them with any fish that are known to be aggressive, such as Bettas and Gourami.

Some good tank mates for White Cloud Mountain Minnows include:

Water Parameters

Providing the right water parameters is essential for the health of your White Cloud Mountain Minnow. The water should have a pH of 6.0-8.0, and the ammonia and nitrite levels should be zero. The water hardness should be between 05-19 dGH, and the water temperature should be around 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Setting Up The Inside Of Their Tank

When setting up the inside of their tank, you will need to provide some things for your White Cloud Mountain Minnow to swim in and around. Some good things to include are some plants, rocks, and a filter. The water should be kept at a temperature of around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pH should be between 6.5-7.5. You will also need to make sure the water hardness is between 10-20 dGH and the ammonia and nitrite levels are zero.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow Setting Up The Inside Of Their Tank

Then introduce live plants if you can. Java Fern, Anubias, and Hornwort are all good plants to start with. They like a tank that has plenty of hiding places and subdued light. You can also add some rocks to the tank to create hiding places for your fish. Be sure to use a good-quality aquarium filter to keep the water clean and well oxygenated.

Keep some open swimming space in the center of the tank for your fish to play in.

Common Potential Diseases

Like any other fish, the White Cloud Mountain Minnow is susceptible to a few common potential diseases. The most common disease that affects White Cloud Mountain Minnows is Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, more commonly known as ich. This is a parasitic infection that can be treated with a medication called Ich-X.

Another common disease that can affect White Cloud Mountain Minnows is called columnar. This is a bacterial infection that causes lesions on the body of the fish. It can be treated with antibiotics, but it can be fatal if left untreated.

You can help prevent your White Cloud Mountain Minnow from getting sick by keeping the water clean and well oxygenated. Make sure to quarantine any new fish you add to your tank for at least two weeks and watch for signs of illness such as loss of appetite, lethargy, swimming erratically, or white spots on the body. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your fish to a veterinarian right away.

Conclusion

White Cloud Mountain Minnow care is easy, and these fish make a great choice for beginner fish keepers. They are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures. These fish aren’t talked about enough, but they are great fish to have in any tank. If you are looking for a small, schooling fish that is easy to care for, the White Cloud Mountain Minnow is great.

Disclaimer

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