White Cloud Mountain Minnow

The White Cloud Minnow is a colorful, beautiful fish from East Asia, where it was found in China, among other places, near the White Cloud Mountain (albo = white, nubes = cloud), which gave it its name. Its natural habitat is the overgrown shore zones of clear mountain streams, although the cardinal fish was thought to be extinct in the 1980s and is barely found in the wild today. It displays colors like red, yellow, silvery and black and grows to about 5 cm. This small fish is great to look at, especially during courtship, as the male courts the female with spread fins and thus in all his glory.

Care in the aquarium

Tanichthys albonubes thrives in a group of at least 10 of its own kind in tanks with dense background and border planting, which allows for retreat when needed, and subdued lighting. Furthermore, this cardinal minnow can be socialized with other peaceful small fish. The socialization with dwarf shrimp is also not a problem, although individual young shrimp may be eaten. Ideally, the aquarium water should be rather soft to medium-hard and cool, as it becomes susceptible to diseases if the temperatures are too high.

Feeding

A varied feeding with small types of food is recommended for the White Cloud Minnow. Suitable live and frozen food is particularly popular. With its upturned mouth, Tanichthys albonubes mainly takes in food from the water surface or the open water.

Sexual characteristics and breeding

The males differ from their female counterparts in their more intense coloring and slimmer body shape. Similar to guppies, females can sometimes appear very plump. If you want to breed Tanichthys albonubes, the water should be kept relatively cool. A cool partial water change can put the fish in courtship mood. The courtship is characterized by the display behavior of the males with spread fins and jerky swimming movements. The female lays the eggs near aquatic plants, which serve as a hiding place for the young fish after hatching a few days later. Normally, the parent animals do not pursue their young, which is why they do not necessarily have to be separated from each other. The offspring can be fed with infusoria and a little later with freshly hatched Artemia nauplii, copepods and fine dry food such as powdered food.