From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
- Temperature
- 14–22 °C
- pH
- 6 – 8.5
- Min. tank size
- 54 L
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Tanichthys albonubes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Origin: | China (originally Guangdong; nearly extinct in the wild) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 4.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | subtropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 10+ together |
| Varieties: | Multiple ornamental strains exist, and they carry a caution. The golden or gold white cloud is a xanthic strain, pale yellow rather than olive. Long-finned forms are widely traded, and a "meteor minnow" long-finned strain circulates. Various selections for stronger red are offered. The wild-type fish is the hardiest of them. Farm-bred stock generally exhibits inbreeding problems causing genetic weakness and deformities — a specific caution for this species rather than a general one, and it applies most to the heavily selected strains. Bent spines, stunted fish and poor finnage are common in cheap stock. Two relatives reach the trade. Tanichthys micagemmae, the Vietnamese white cloud, is smaller and more slender. A separate Vietnamese population and various locality forms also appear. The species is listed as endangered in China's Red Data Book, having become scarce in its native range around Guangdong, while being farmed in enormous numbers worldwide — an unusual position for a fish this common in shops. |
| Lifespan: | 5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:54 L
- Substrate:Gravel or sand; planted with swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Low to moderate
White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is native to China (originally Guangdong; nearly extinct in the wild). The white cloud mountain minnow is the fish that makes an unheated tank possible, and it has a good origin story: it was discovered in 1932 by a Chinese scoutmaster, Tan Kam Fei, whose name survives in the genus Tanichthys. It reaches 40 mm standard length and its range is 14 to 22 °C (57–72 °F). It is subject to seasonal temperature fluctuations in nature and thrives without artificial heating in many climates — which makes it one of the very few genuinely unheated-tank fish that is also small, peaceful and colourful. Specialists describe it as very peaceful indeed. Two things are worth knowing. It is listed as endangered in China's Red Data Book, though the fish in shops are farmed. And farm-bred stock shows inbreeding problems causing genetic weakness and deformities, so where you buy matters more than usual.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 10+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
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