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White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) — Cyprinidae

White Cloud Mountain minnow

Tanichthys albonubes
Family: Cyprinidae
NativeIntroduced

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
Range
Asia: China, Viet Nam
Edibility
Highly prized

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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. Asia: China, Viet Nam

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. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the White Cloud Mountain minnow edible?

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

More photos

White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) snide_, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) — Cyprinidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) — Cyprinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — User:Ark pl wiki (CC BY 3.0)
White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — DefenderRegina (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

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; Canton danio 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
Natural range
Asia: China, Viet Nam sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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