White Cloud Minnows

White cloud minnow

White cloud minnows (Tanichthys albonubes) is a member of the carp family (Cyprinidae). White cloud minnows are naturally found in China and Vietnam. The fish gets its common name from the mountain it was discovered on (White cloud mountain). This species was discovered in the 1930's.

White cloud minnows are small fish, growing to an inch to and inch and a half. They are a silvery green color with red fins. A gold variety is also available, with a golden body and red fins as well as a long finned variety (often called "meteor minnows"). Males are generally brighter than females and often display by "shaking" their fins.

In the aquaria white cloud minnows are peaceful schooling fish. They should not be kept with large fish as many find them to be a tasty snack. White clouds are considered a hardy fish, being adaptable to a wide range of water parameters. They do best in temperatures between 64*f and 72*f and can survive water temperatures as low as 41*f and as high as 90*f for a short time. The pH level should be between 6.0 and 8.0. White cloud minnows were once known as "the poor man's neon" as they are brightly colored but were much cheaper than neon tetras.White clouds are easy to feed and often take flake food with gusto.

White cloud minnows are easy to breed. Prior to breeding they should be conditioned on live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and blood worms. White clouds are egg scatterers and should be removed after breeding as they may eat their own eggs and young.

Because white cloud minnows are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures they can be housed in small outdoor ponds in many areas, for at least part of the year. They also do well in unheated aquariums.

White cloud minnows are thought to be extinct in their native waters in China.