White Cloud Mountain Minnow

The White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a very hardy species of freshwater aquarium fish. It is a member of the carp family (family Cyprinidae) of order Cypriniformes, native to China and Vietnam.

The species was discovered at White Cloud Mountain (白雲山; Pinyin Bái Yún Shān) in Guǎngdōng in the 1930s by a Boy Scout leader called Tan—hence the generic name Tanichthys ("Tan's fish"). The specific name albonubes is from the Latin alba nubes (white cloud).

This species grows to approximately 4 cm (roughly 1.5 in) in overall length, and is silver-green in color, with brilliant red dorsal and caudal fins. The dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins are edged in yellow or white. Sexual dimorphism is slight, the male generally possessing more brilliant coloration.

T. albonubes

The fish are sold in the aquarium trade under a variety of similar names, including White Cloud, White Cloud Mountain fish, White Cloud minnow, etc. The names Canton or China danio and cardinal fish are also encountered. In Chinese the fish is known as 唐魚 (táng wén), 廣東細鯽 (Guǎngdōng xìjì), or 潘氏細鯽 (pānshì xìjì). Aphyocypris pooni is an obsolete synonym for this species; it was coined to designate a color variety which is now known to be the same species as the White Cloud Mountain Minnow.

In the aquarium

White Cloud Mountain minnows are considered good fish for beginners, as they are extremely forgiving with regard to aquarium temperature or water quality, and make an ideal "starter fish" for cycling a new aquarium. They are schooling fish, and feel most comfortable in a shoal of at least five minnows. They are peaceful and happy to coexist with other fish.

While normal temperature range of the species in the wild is 18–22 °C (64–72 °F), it can survive water temperatures down to 5°C (41°F); this makes it an ideal fish for keeping in an unheated aquarium in cold climates.

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