Golden White Cloud 3.5cm

Golden White Cloud 
 

White clouds are by far one of the best beginner fish species, they are cheap, incredibly hardy, stay small and are cold-water tolerant. They are arguably the best beginner fish to start with because of how easy they are to keep and one of the best fish for nanosystems as well. One of the main arguable downsides is that they tend to have quite a drab colouration but all that changes with the golden white cloud. This colour occurs due to a genetic mutation which results in a golden pigment across the fish which makes for a beautiful fish. The surprising thing is, for such a popular and widespread fish in the aquarium hobby, the naturally coloured white cloud is almost extinct in its wild range due to habitat loss. The aquarium hobby however is easily the sole reason this fish is so loved and can remain alive which is great.

The best thing about golden white clouds is that they are one of the greatest community fish in existence, meaning that they can be kept with a wide range of peaceful aquarium fish. Because of their hardy and cold-water tolerant nature, they can be great for those who are just looking into keeping aquariums as they do not need a heater like tropical fish however, they can also thrive in a tropical aquarium. 

Golden white clouds are just a burst of colour as their body shines with beautiful gold. This is really enhanced why a metallic white lateral line and underbelly. There is also the classic splash of red on the fins much lime standard white clouds along with the black tailspot. There can also be a hint of red on the mouth and gill plate for these fish and overall the combination of colours works so well. Since white clouds are also bred so prolifically in the aquarium hobby there are also golden long fin variations which adds some nice options to consider.

As mentioned, golden white clouds can be bred quite easily in the home aquarium since the genetic mutation was possibly discovered in captivity. As long as there is dense plant cover in the aquarium where the fry can hatch and seek refuge then it's almost guaranteed that these fish will breed. Though there are no exact defining factors between males and females, males tend to be more slender and have more reds compared to females. 

Tank Recommendations for your Golden White Cloud

Being a very small and extremely easy-to-care-for species, the golden white cloud can be kept in tanks with a minimum volume of 20 litres. They are able to withstand swings in parameters and temperature which makes them great fish to keep in smaller tanks. Due to their top-dwelling nature, they are not fussy with substrate and will be happy will sand or gravel. The only precaution which should be taken into consideration for white clouds is that they can jump out of a tank with no lid.  Keeping these fish in an outdoor pond would be great due to how visible these fish are. 

Suitable Tank Buddies

Golden White clouds are extremely peaceful fish with no fin-nipping tendencies, they can be kept with a vast range of peaceful community fish.

Usually Compatible

Tetras, gouramis, corydoras, pleco, cherry barbs, and common community fish species.

Sometime Compatible

dwarf cichlids such as rams, Apistogramma, and checkerboards may show aggression to the flashy golden white clouds. 

Rarely Compatible 

Since golden white clouds have such a small profile, they can be very easy prey to many aquarium fish. It's usually best to avoid keeping this species with any fish that has a mouth size larger than the white cloud. 

Feeding your Golden White Cloud

Golden white clouds will take to a wide range of aquarium foods given to them, this includes pellets, flakes, and frozen and live foods. When kept in a school it is great to see their pack feeding as they hammer the surface of the water when feeding. Because of this primarily surface-dwelling mentality, floating or slow-sinking food is best fed to them. Feeding these fish a natural colour enhancer will really enhance the yellows and reds in these fish whilst making these fish practically glow.