White Cloud Mountain Minnow
White cloud mountain minnows are beautiful and hardy, found originally in rivers and streams in the White Cloud Mountain region of China, Guangdong Province (southern China). They are temperate rather than tropical fish, preferring cooler water, making them ideal for heavily planted unheated aquariums. Environmental degradation (urbanization and pollution) is now threatening this fish, making it an endangered species in the wild. Fortunately, it has become a popular aquarium fish around the world for its beauty and is bred widely in captivity.
- Scientific name: Tanichthys Albonubes
- Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
- Lifespan: 4 to 6 years
- Water parameters:
- pH range: 6.0 to 8.5, happiest at 7.0
- Temperature range: 65F to 77F, good at room temperature without heater
- Water hardness: 5 to 19 dGH (90-357 ppm), 4 to 8 dKH (70-140 ppm)
- Stability, consistency more important than chasing any "perfect" numbers
- Diet: Omnivorous, flake food, dried or frozen baby brine shrimp or daphnia, well-rounded diet enhances health and colors
- Breeding: Female scatters eggs over substrate, then male fertilizes
- Temperament: Peaceful, schooling fish, like to be in groups, but plenty of hiding places in hardscape and plants are desirable
- Water flow: Coming from moving waters, they like gentle yet thorough water flow, well oxygenated but not turbulent
- Filtration: They like clean water with proper balance of nutrients, oxygen, CO2, moderate light, like most aquatic plants, weekly 25% water changes, monitor water conditions regularly