Breeding White Cloud Mountain Minnow
How to breed Tanichthys albonubes, an easy egg-scattering coldwater fish: sexing, breeding setup, water parameters, egg care and fry rearing.
Overview
Tanichthys albonubes is an egg-scattering continuous spawner with no parental care, and its breeding difficulty is rated beginner. In a densely planted, mature aquarium it spawns frequently and fry can appear without any intervention.
Sexing
Mature females are usually rounder-bellied and often a little larger than the slimmer, more colorful males.
Breeding Setup
- Separate tank with dim lighting and an air-powered sponge filter or air stone
- A mesh base, plastic grass matting, glass marbles, fine-leaved plants (Taxiphyllum) or spawning mops so eggs fall away from the adults
- Water pH slightly acidic to neutral
- Temperature toward the upper end of the 14-22 C range
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Introduce one to two conditioned pairs, or about six fish of each sex. Spawning should take place the following morning.
Egg & Fry Care
Adults will eat the eggs if given the chance, so remove them after no more than 2-3 days. Eggs hatch in 48-60 hours. The fry need infusoria-grade food at first, progressing to microworm, Artemia nauplii and similar foods as they grow.
Common Challenges
This is one of the easier egg-scatterers to breed. The main task is providing infusoria-sized first foods and protecting the eggs from the adults; the species tolerates cooler water well, which suits unheated breeding setups.