White Cloud Minnow Care and Breeding Tips
White cloud minnows (Tanichthys albonubes)like all true minnows, they are members of the family cyprinids, more commonly known as the carp family. White clouds are a kind of mainly cold water originating in China. They were first discovered in the 1930s on White Cloud Mountain in China’s Guangdong province by Boy Scout leader Tan. The white cloud minnow’s genius name, Tanichthysliterally translates as the fish of Tan.
Unfortunately, White Cloud Mountain’s popularity as a tourist attraction and overfishing for the burgeoning commercial aquarium industry of the post-World War II era soon led to the demise of the region’s native populations. From 1980 to 2001 there was not a single reported sighting of this species. It was feared that the white cloud minnow had become extinct. But at a time when human encroachment on native habitats threatens the very existence of many species, nature persevered, at least in the case of the white cloud minnow. As these minnows struggled for their own existence atop White Cloud Mountain, additional populations were discovered in isolated regions along the coastal areas of Guangdong and in Quang Ninh province in northeastern Vietnam. In 2007 an established population of this species was found on Hainan Island, an island just south of Guandong Province. This discovery indicates that Hainan Island and Guangdong Province were landlocked at some point in the distant past. White Cloud minnows are currently listed as an endangered species in their natural habitat by the Chinese government. All white clouds available for sale in the aquarium industry are commercially bred.
Like all minnows, this is a relatively small species. White clouds only grow to a maximum length of 1.5 inches. These minnows gained immense popularity in the 1940s and 1950s. So much so that they earned the nickname “Poor Man’s Neon Tetra,” because they were much more reasonably priced than their more colorful and expensive counterparts. Even to this day, white cloud minnows are commonly traded under the White Cloud Tetras label. They are also sold under the names Cardinal fish, Canton, and China Danio even though they are unrelated to the danio breeds.
In their wild habitat, white cloud minnows are genetically identical. The interbreeding of what is known as the Golden Cloud produced a longer-finned variation called the Meteor Minnow. Further genetic manipulation between the two led to the development of the Golden Meteor Minnow. A final genetic deviation from this species resulted in a minnow devoid of much of the natural pigmentation of the parent species, the Blonde Cloud.
Regardless of genetic variation, White Clouds are extremely hardy fish. They are an excellent choice for first time aquarium owners. Their ability to thrive in a multitude of environmental conditions makes them the ideal starter fish for cycling new aquariums. These minnows are a cold water species by nature. Although they can survive in temperatures as low as 41°F, they thrive in the 64-72°F range. This makes them the ideal candidate for unheated aquariums and regular fish tanks. Despite their cold water nature, these minnows can easily withstand the slightly higher water temperatures of a standard tropical aquarium community tank. A pH level between 6.0 and 8.0 is perfectly acceptable. White clouds have an average life of 3 to 5 years in captivity.
This species does well in a community aquarium as long as they are at home with similarly sized temperate tankmates. It should be noted that the white clouds are educating the fish. They will adjust better to their new surroundings if they are introduced in groups of no less than five. When kept as a single species specimen, it is common for this minnow to become very shy by nature. The unnecessary stress of a solitary existence will often result in a noticeable reduction in brightness in the color palette. In an aquarium setting, these minnows are top to mid-level swimmers. They rarely venture to the bottom of an aquarium.
In nature, white clouds are carnivorous. Their diet consists of small insects, worms, and crustaceans. In captivity, this species will readily accept a standard variety of garden fish. However, high-protein supplements will help maintain your overall health, your coloration, and ensure your longevity.
Males are usually slimmer than females. In specimens where the natural color pigment has not been removed, the red coloration is more vibrant in males.
White Cloud Minnow Hatchling
This species will reach sexual maturity between 6 and 12 months. Adult males generally flare their ends and engage in a courtship mating ritual dance to attract the attention of females. It is common for males to try to outdo each other in the search for a female during the mating cycle. Before breeding, males often nip at each other, but this display of aggression rarely manifests itself into an all-out skirmish.
Spawning is best suited for a breeding tank to protect the unhatched eggs and newly hatched fry from possible predation. A breeding tank as small as 5 gallons will suffice. You can select a single mature pair if you wish. However, since male aggression does not have serious consequences, you can place two or three males in the breeding tank with an equal or greater number of females and let nature take its course.
A pH balance of 6.5 to 7.5 with a temperature range of 68 to 75°F is conducive to starting the breeding cycle. You should also provide an adequate supply of java mass as a means of spawning.
Females will lay anywhere from a dozen to a couple hundred eggs during spawning. The eggs will hatch in about two days. White cloud minnows are not noted for eating their eggs or young. Some can be eaten, but many will survive. Therefore, removing adults from the breeding tank after spawning is purely discretionary.
Within a few days, the fry will become free swimmers. Newly hatched fry can be fed infusuria or luqifry. Within a week, their diet can be changed to brine shrimp or finely crushed fish flakes. The fry will grow to within 1/2 inch in the first three months and will reach full adult size within a year.