White Cloud Mountain Minnow

[KerriPaul]

Tanichthys albonubes (the "original" white cloud) is apparently now both endangered and a protected species in its wild form (at one time it was thought to be extinct but they found some more at a nearby location). As a result all stocks sold are farm bred.

Tanichthys albonubes is its scientific name. There were originally believed to be two species of White Cloud in separate genus's, Tanichthys albonubes and Aphyocypris pooni. However according to Fishbase, Aphyocypris pooni is no longer valid and both fish are morphs of Tanichthys albonubes (Fang 2001)

The exciting news is that another species of Tanichthys, Tanichthys micagemmae has recently been discovered in Vietnam. It looks similar to the white cloud and as far as I can see its most distinctive feature is a strong black line with white above running the length of it. Apparently the April TFH has a picture of it.

 

[Lateral Line]

I just looked in the Red List and can't find it listed as endangered. Where did you see this?

 

[KerriPaul]

I Think it is by order of the Chinese Government so probably will not appear on international lists (the fish is only found in one small part of china

I was advised by someone from the far east

 

[KerriPaul]

I made a mistake The two white clouds appear to have been unified by M Kottelat not FangFang

As to its rarity. According to fishbase it is wild in China Hong Kong and Vietnam along with being endemic in Madagascar and Columbia.

I suspect that as escaped tank varieties are so common in various countries the protection is a chinese statute aimed at preserving the remaining pure wild stocks (if it is not an urban legend)

 

[wrs]

actually the original white cloud, the one in stores, is extinct in the wild.

 

[KerriPaul]

Not true,

Thats the whole point of this post.

I understand that it was thought to be extinct in the wild other than released ex tank stock which presumably fishbase are noting, however the Chinese found some more genuine wild WCMMs and they are fairly obviously protected

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> (if it is not an urban legend)

A creditable source would help. China are IUCN registered for example.

I doubt, for example, WCMM are endemic to places outside of East Asia. There are no Cyprinids in South America, so endemic WCMM would turn the entire classification on it's head.

 

[KerriPaul]

The reason they are endemic to madagsar and columbia is because someone decided to empty their tank into a local stream and they bred.......

 

[Lateral Line]

they are endemic to madagsar and columbia is because someone decided to empty their tank into a local stream and they bred

In which case they are introduced, and possibly established, but certainly not endemic. Endemic means they "come from there", are "native", they are a "naturally occurring species in a geographical environment".

Big difference.

 

[KerriPaul]

Apologies,

I used the wrong word, Fishbase does say introduced.

 

[Lateral Line]

No worries.

 

[LifeBear]

You can't really say that all White Clouds in stores are farm raised BECAUSE the Chinese have said so now that they found some wild ones. All White Clouds in stores were already farm raised because there weren't any that could be wild caught, before someone found some.

The Chinese can SAY that no wild catching of White Clouds is allowed. That changes nothing since no one goes to catch them anyway. No one knew they were there.

I saw the article on the vietnamese White Cloud. I think that is cool. It just goes to show how much is still left to be discovered.

If it true that wild WCMM are still swimming out in the White Cloud mountains, even cooler. Nature is quite resilient about such things. A handful of fish left in the remotest parts of a mountain stream can possibly restore a species. I hope they are left alone.

 

[Lateral Line]

My point all along is that the Chinese "authorities" note the quotes, tend to say lots of things.

I have travelled a lot in China my "eyes" tell me different things sometimes.