Breeding Methods and Keeping Tips for the White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Morphological Characteristics of the White Cloud Mountain Minnow
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow, also known as the White Cloud Mountain fish, Tang fish, red-tailed fish, or golden striped minnow, belongs to the carp family and originated in Guangdong, China.
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow was first discovered on Baiyun Mountain in the northern suburbs of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, hence the name White Cloud Mountain fish.
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is about 3-4 cm long, with a spindle-shaped, slender body that is slightly laterally compressed, a small head, large eyes, and a bluntly rounded snout. The back of the fish is tea-brown with a slight blue tint, the belly is silvery white, the dorsal fin and caudal fin are bright red, the tips of the pelvic fins are yellow, and the center of the tail is also red. From the snout backward along the lateral line there is a golden-yellow band extending to the end of the caudal peduncle, and there is also a golden spot, hence the name golden striped minnow.
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow has a delicate, petite body and brilliant colors, especially in the juvenile stage, when it looks particularly beautiful. Abroad, it enjoys the reputation of "outshining the cardinal tetra."
Keeping Requirements for the White Cloud Mountain Minnow
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow has a gentle temperament, is omnivorous, and is easy to keep. It is very suitable for beginners. It has no strict requirements for aquarium water, generally preferring slightly acidic or neutral soft water, with a suitable temperature of 20-25°C, but it can tolerate low temperatures and can survive in water at 5°C.
Although the White Cloud Mountain Minnow is omnivorous, it prefers animal-based bait. It is advisable to plant more aquatic plants in the keeping tank and maintain appropriate lighting. The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is suitable for mixed keeping with other tropical fish.
Male and Female Identification and Breeding of the White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Male and female White Cloud Mountain Minnows can generally be distinguished by the following characteristics: males are smaller than females, but the dorsal fin and anal fin are larger than those of females, and the body color is also deeper and more brilliant than that of females; females are plumper than males, with a swollen belly that is slightly white.
A pH of 6.5-7.5, hardness of 6-8, and water temperature of 24°C are suitable. The bottom of the tank should be covered with gravel or pebbles, and more aquatic plants such as Myriophyllum and golden grass should be planted. The White Cloud Mountain Minnow likes to spawn under sunlight, so the breeding tank should be placed in a spot that receives sunlight.
When breeding, paired breeding fish can be selected and placed in the tank, or group breeding can be used. Each female White Cloud Mountain Minnow can lay 150-300 eggs each time. After spawning and fertilization, the breeding fish must be immediately removed and kept separately to avoid eating the eggs.
The fertilized eggs hatch into fry after 1-2 days, and after about another 3 days, the fry begin to swim and seek food. At first, they should be fed with "infusoria," and it takes about 10 days before they can be fed other small live fish food.