White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes)

Description

Reaching an adult length of up to 4cm, mountain minnows are silverish green/brown in colour with a bright red caudal and dorsal fin often edged in white. A fluorescent – dark blue line runs from eye to tail.

Though it is difficult to distinguish males from females it is not impossible, males will generally have brighter colours and a more slender build, their dorsal and anal fins are usually wide and fan shapped wherar those of the female should be triangular and wedge shaped.

A few different colour variations or ‘morphs’ of this species exist, at The Fish Works we stock both the classic ‘wild type’ minnow as well as the flashier ‘golden mountain minnow’ bred for its bright yellow/gold colouration.

Distribution

White clouds are native to China, where they were first discovered at White Cloud Mountain in the Guangdong province. For a period of approximately 20 years up intul the 1980s they where believed to have been driven to extinction as a result of pollution and tourism, however a native population has since been discovered on Hainan Island (though they still remain rare in their natural range). Despite their apparent rarity in the wild, this species is widley bred and available in captivity. 

Breeding

White Clouds are prolific breeders (making them a great choice for novice keepers). Males and females will spawn multiple times throughout the year. During this time males will become very aggressive towards each other until selected by a female, at which point they pair off and revert to a naturally peaceful demenour. 

When ready the female will scatter her eggs around plants and mosses where the male will fertilise them. Larvae will hatch after approximately 2 days.

Diet

White clouds are omnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of plant matter and aquatic organisms such as algae and mosquito larvae. In captivity this diet can be supplemented with sinking pellets or fish flakes. 

Mountain Minnows in ponds and tanks

White Clouds are a shoaling fish, and feel most comfortable in a group of at least 5. They are peaceful and able to coexist with most other fish (the real danger comes from the risk of other fish eating them!). Minnows thrive in water temperatures between 18°C – 22°C, though they can survive temperatures down to 5°C.

These are a frog friendly species that will not bother tadpoles, though they are very effective at controlling mosquito larvae within your pond.