The White Cloud fish is an extremely nice-looking aquarium fish among the pet fish managers because of its impressive body tinge and hardiness. This fish (Tanichthys albonubes) was first explained by prominent Zoologist and Ichthyologist Lin Shu-Yen in 1932. The genus “Tanichthys” is named after the famous Scout of Kwangtung Mr Tan Kam Fei. The White Cloud (Tanichthys albonubes) is a freshwater cyprinid fish (Carp family) under the class of Actinopterygii. This species is not cataloged as threatened species on the Red Data List of IUCN.
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Distribution and Habitat
In wild condition, it is found in White Cloud Mountain of Guangdong province in China. They choose to inhabit in slow to fast flowing waters of streams, rivers, ditches, and canals where thick aquatic plants are available with suitable water parameters.
Common Name
It is also called as white Cloud, Canton Danio, White Cloud Mountain fish, the “Poor Man’s Neon Tetra, Chinese Danio etc.
Systematic Position
- Phylum: Chordata
- Sub-phylum: Vertebrata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Cypriniformes
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Tanichthys
- Species: Tanichthys albonubes S. Y. Lin. 1932
Quick White Cloud Mountain Minnow Fish Facts
- Scientific Name:Tanichthys albonubes
- Origin: Southern China
- Grown-up Size: up to 4 cm
- Diet: Omnivore
- Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallon
- Tank region: Top – Mid Level
- Temperature: 65-75° F
- Hardness: 10-15 dGH
- pH: 6.0 – 8.5
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Habitat: Streams of the White Cloud mountains, China.
- Breeding: Egg-layer
- Care Level: Very easy
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Body Shape and Colors
Body is elongated and slender. The mouth position is terminal but the lower jaw protrudes slightly with a blunt snout. The mouth does not bear any barbell. Body is greenish brown in color but the belly is silvery in color while the caudal and dorsal fins are bright red in color. The dorsal fin is situated past the mid-line of the body just above the anal fin line. Each side of the body has a gleaming and golden stripe that runs from head to caudal fin.
Body Size and Lifespan
It is a small sized fish which grows up to 4 cm long and its lifespan that ranges from 5 to 8 years or more if accurate care is taken.
Food and Feeding Behavior
This fish is an omnivore and its food consists of zooplankton such as brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, Cyclops, Daphnia and plant matters. It also takes blackworms, bloodworms, flake food, Spirulina pellets, vegetables and any frozen foods. You should offer feed 2 to 3 times with small amount in a day if you want to make your fish pleased.
Housing and Care Facts
The white mount is a very popular fish among the pet fish keepers. It requires at least 5 gallons tank with plenty of swimming spaces. The tank should have live plants and gravel substrates with a good water quality. In this case, the pH range should be maintained between 6.0 and 8.5 while hardness and temperature should be 10-15 dGH and 65-75° F respectively. The tank should have a cover or lid to check the jumping out from the tank. 20-25% water changes should be done every other week to stay your tank ecosystem healthy. The white cloud is a peaceful and community fish and you should keep it in groups. In this case, 6 or more individuals do well in your aquarium.
Tank-mates
Suitable tank-mates include Ghost Shrimp, Neon Tetras, Fancy Guppies, Glow Light Tetras, Glassfish, Harlequin Rasboras, Black Phantom Tetras, Corydoras Catfish, paradise fish, Chinese barbs, stone catfish, loaches, etc.
Sexual Differences
It is not easy to determine the male and female. Generally, the male is brighter in color with a slimmer body than female. The dorsal and anal fins of the male are wide and fan-shaped while the female, it is triangular and wedge-shaped. During the spawning period, the abdomen of the female becomes fuller when she carries eggs in her belly.
Breeding Facts
If you take appropriate care, they can easily breed in aquarium condition. It is an egg-layer and for their successful breeding, the tank should have good water chemistry and aquarium plant as spawning materials. In this case, Java moss does well. Before spawning, parents should be habituated with live foods like Daphnia, Artemia (brine shrimp), mosquito larvae and bloodworms which will influence the breeding. You can also use High-quality frozen foods if live food is not accessible. Generally, the spawning period ranges from March to October and spawning occurs on plants several times in a year. During the spawning period, the mature female lays up to 200 eggs on the surface of the plant`s matters. Hatching of eggs occur within 48 hours and after few days, the baby fish swim freely. At this stage, feeding should be done 2-3 times daily with freshly hatched artemia, infusoria or any fish fry food.
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Final Thoughts
The white mount is an incredibly attractive aquarium fish among all the aquarium devotees because of its gleaming body colors. It is now available in the local pet fish market and online shops with reasonable price. We recommend you to purchase this magnificent fish for your fish tank to make your aquarium more eye-catching.