The White Cloud Mountain minnow is an active and hardy fish suitable for both aquariums and ponds.
These fish swim in the middle and upper water levels in a loose school.
Mountain minnows are an ideal outdoor fish. In most locations the mountain minnow can survive both the chill of winter and the heat of summer outdoors. These fish are able to control mosquito larvae in outdoor ponds making them useful for pest control.
In captivity several white cloud mountain minnow colour variations exist, but all are similar. The base body colour ranges from olive brown to grey. A flush of red may show over the brown or silver in some areas. The underbelly is usually white with a dark stripe running down the centre of the side flanks.
Fins can vary but their is usually a patch of red at the base of the tail. The male dorsal fin is often red tipped with gold. A long finned mountain minnow is also available but these are often inbred and weaker than the regular mountain minnow.
A school of white cloud mountain minnows will spawn readily, especially when offered live food. Expect them to lay a few eggs at a time resulting in a steady stream of fry. These baby fish should be offered ample plants to hide in as predation by parent fish is common. Feed parents well to reduce casualties. Alternately a spawning mop can be offered to your mountain minnow school which is then moved to a new aquarium every few days.
Family - Cyprinidae
Size -4 cm
Fish Origin - Asia from near White Cloud Mountain in China and Hong Kong
Water - Prefers soft to medium hard water
Temperature - 16-24°C
Feeding - Undemanding, feed with a flake and bloodworms
Sexing - Male is more slender with stronger colouration
Breeding -
Mountain minnows spawn in plants like
java moss
Aquarium - Best kept in community aquarium with others to form a school
