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White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) — Cyprinidae

White Cloud Mountain minnow

Tanichthys albonubes
Family: Cyprinidae

The White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a small cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from clear, cool streams of southern China, originally from White Cloud Mountain near Guangzhou. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender body with a shiny longitudinal stripe and red-edged fins. It lives in schools in clear, flowing water among water plants and eats small zooplankton, insect larvae and algae. Rare in the wild, but one of the most popular aquarium fishes worldwide. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the White Cloud Mountain minnow?

The White Cloud Mountain minnow has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the White Cloud Mountain minnow live?

The White Cloud Mountain minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the White Cloud Mountain minnow get?

The White Cloud Mountain minnow grows to a maximum of about 4 cm. On average the species is around 2 cm.

Is the White Cloud Mountain minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the White Cloud Mountain minnow is harmless to humans.

Is the White Cloud Mountain minnow edible?

Yes, the White Cloud Mountain minnow is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witwolkbergvisje sourced
English name
White Cloud Mountain minnow sourced
Scientific name
Tanichthys albonubes
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Chinese danio; White cloud; White cloud minnow; White Cloud Mountain fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Average length (cm)
2.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Cyprinidae

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