White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Adults reach up to 4 cm in length. Females are generally larger than males, but their coloration is less vibrant. Several color variations exist. One resembles the natural coloration: the main color is gray, with a wide, bright pink stripe running from head to tail. The fins have a pale yellow edge. Another form features a similar pattern but with a pronounced red pigment that colors the posterior part of the body, the caudal fin, and the edges of the other fins.

Originally, these fish inhabited the territory of modern China. Today, White Cloud Mountain Minnows have practically disappeared from the wild and are listed in the Red Book, on the verge of extinction. Several relict populations have been discovered in coastal areas of Guangdong province in southern China and Quang Ninh province in northeastern Vietnam. They prefer to stay in shallow waters, up to 60 cm deep, in slow-moving rivers and streams, hiding among dense riparian aquatic vegetation.

These are peaceful and calm fish that get along well with other species of similar size and temperament, capable of living in similar temperature conditions. It is recommended to keep a school of at least 10 individuals of both sexes. Within the group, males actively compete for the attention of females, which enhances the vibrancy of their coloration.

For a school of these fish, a tank volume of at least 60 liters is recommended. Although the decor can be arbitrary, using a dark substrate in combination with floating plants is considered optimal. Artificial or natural snags, roots, and/or tree branches can be used as decoration. Essential equipment includes filtration systems, lighting, and an air pump. White Cloud Mountain Minnows thrive at relatively low temperatures, so a heater is usually not necessary if the aquarium is in a heated living space. These fish prefer water conditions with a weak current; temperature, pH, and dGH parameters can be within a fairly wide range, which simplifies water preparation – often, simply letting it stand for 24 hours is sufficient. Aquarium care includes weekly water changes of 20–25% with fresh water, as well as regular cleaning of the substrate from organic deposits and removal of algae from the glass.

The fish readily accept all types of food: dry, frozen, and live. To maintain the best coloration, it is recommended to combine different types of food. Feeding should be done 2–3 times a day, in portions that the fish can consume within 5 minutes. It is important to promptly remove any uneaten food to prevent contamination of the aquarium water.

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are egg-laying fish: females scatter their eggs in the water column, and males fertilize them. Parental instincts in these fish are weakly developed: after spawning, they may eat both their eggs and the hatched fry. To ensure the safety of the offspring, it is recommended to conduct breeding in a separate spawning tank. The setup of such a tank is simple; the main attention is paid to the substrate, which should consist of sufficiently large, loosely packed particles that form voids, such as pebbles or decorative glass beads. When the eggs sink to the bottom, most of them fall into these voids, becoming inaccessible to the adult fish. A similar effect is achieved by using a fine-mesh net fixed to the bottom. Another way to protect the eggs is to heavily plant low-growing, fine-leaved plants or mosses, such as Riccia fluitans or Java moss, which will cover most of the substrate surface (in this case, the type of substrate does not matter). Dense plant thickets create a reliable refuge for eggs no worse than a special substrate. A spawning tank usually has a volume of 20–30 liters and is filled halfway. Equipment includes an air pump, a heater, and a simple low-power sponge filter to avoid accidentally sucking in eggs and fry. Spawning occurs under dim lighting, so a light source is not required initially. To stimulate the breeding period, the water temperature is raised to the upper permissible limit of 20–21°C with neutral or slightly acidic pH, and protein-rich food – live or frozen bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp – is included in the daily diet. After some time, the females become noticeably rounded, and the males begin to actively show attention to their chosen mates. At this point, a separate tank should be prepared, filled with water from the main aquarium, and then several females and the most vibrant males should be transferred there. The end of spawning is easily determined by the females, who become slender again. After this, the fish are returned to the main aquarium. Fry will hatch in 48–60 hours, and after another day, they will begin to swim freely. They should be fed specialized microscopic food for aquarium fish fry.

Prolonged hybridization and inbreeding have led to undesirable consequences, such as weakened immunity and a high frequency of congenital defects in juveniles. However, a balanced diet and properly selected living conditions can significantly reduce the risk of diseases, although they do not eliminate them entirely. Detailed information on symptoms and treatment methods can be found in the "Aquarium Fish Diseases" section.

When choosing White Cloud Mountain Minnows, preference should be given to active individuals that stay in a school and display natural mobility. Healthy fish should have clean fins without signs of damage, clear eyes, and tightly adhering scales without whitish film or spots. Avoid specimens with unnaturally bloated or sunken bellies, or those that stay at the water surface or, conversely, constantly lie on the bottom. Given that selective forms are often available for sale, assess the vibrancy of their coloration, which should be rich and clear. Before purchasing, it is recommended to observe the fish's behavior in the store's general aquarium: they should not show signs of apathy or timidity, nor should they have visible skin damage.