White Cloud Mountain Minnow care guide
White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) — minimum tank 30 L, temperature 15-22 °C, pH 6-8.
Overview
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a small cyprinid first collected on White Cloud Mountain near Guangzhou, China. It is a hardy, cool-water shoaling fish with a slender silver body bearing a longitudinal copper-red stripe and red caudal markings.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Tanichthys
- Scientific name: Tanichthys albonubes
- Common synonyms: Canton Danio
Habitat
Native to clear, fast-flowing montane streams of Guangdong Province in southern China and adjacent northern Vietnam. The original Chinese populations were considered extirpated for decades before rediscovery; conservation programmes now protect remaining wild stocks.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 30 L (7.9 US gal)
- Adult size: 3-4 cm
- Temperature: 15-22 °C (59-72 °F)
- pH: 6-8
- GH: 5-20 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- School size: ≥6 individuals
Diet
A micro-predator and omnivore that consumes small invertebrates, larvae and plant debris in the wild. In aquaria it accepts micro-pellets, fine flakes and small live or frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp.
Compatibility
Peaceful and active mid-water shoaler. Keep a group of at least six in a planted tank with cooler water than typical tropicals. Compatible with other temperate companions including Hillstream Loach, Zebra Danio and Cherry Shrimp; avoid large or warm-water aggressive species.
Breeding
An egg-scatterer that spawns continuously in well-conditioned planted tanks. Parents do not actively defend eggs but rarely predate them aggressively, so a few fry usually survive in dense vegetation.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Endangered (assessed in 2008). Wild populations are highly localised due to habitat degradation, although the species is one of the most widely captive-bred ornamental fishes in the world.