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White Cloud, White Cloud Mountain Minnow
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This fish is an elongated species with an up-turned mouth. The back is
dark olive brown as is the body, although the belly is white. A slender,
lateral gold stripe extends from the eye to the caudal fin. Below this
stripe, is a parallel blue-black line. An obvious spot is locate as on the
caudal penuncle, and the caudal fin has a reddish wedge-shape. The anal,
dorsal, and ventral fins have a broad yellow tip.
This is a small fish growing to a size of 2" (5 cm).
It is found in clear streams in the White Cloud Mountains near Canton in
China. This fish will inhabit all areas of the aquarium of at least 5
gallons (19 L). The tank should be well-planted and have open-swimming areas. Water parameters should be in the ranges of pH 6-8; 6-20 dH; with temperatures about 60-75°F (16-24°C).
This is a peaceful, schooling fish that can be combined with species that
can tolerate lower water temperatures. Some recommended tank mates
include Rosy Barb, Corydoras , Neons, Danios, Barbs, Red Phantom
Tetra. These fish do well on foods such as insects, brine shrimp,
Daphnia, Tubifex, insect larvae; flakes.
The male is slimmer and more colorful than the female. When breeding
this fish use a breeding tank with lots of plants and a water temperature
from 68-72°F (20-22°C). Spawning takes place when the male curls the
rear part of his body around the female. The eggs are attached to plants.
Remove the parents after the eggs are laid. If the parents are well fed,
they will not eat the eggs. Sometimes fertilized eggs will be ignored. The
fry hatch after 36-40 hours and they grow rapidly. Feed them with
paramecia, finely ground flake food, and liquid foods. In well planted,
sparsely populated tank, some young will usually survive until adult-hood. These fish are easily bred.
There are several different color varieties. Do not keep the water
temperature higher than 77°F (25°C) for their colors fade. The young
have better colors. The White Cloud was first called the "Working Man's
Neon" or the "Poor Man's Neon" in the 40's and 50's because Neon
Tetras were very expensive while the White Cloud was not. The White
Cloud is said to have been discovered on the White Cloud Mountain
near Canton by a Chinese boy scout named Tan. Thus the genus name
Tanichthys originates from his name while the species name, albonubes,
means "white cloud." Selectively bred forms are known, differing in
color and fin size.
