Latin name

Tanichthys albonubes

Other names

Tanichthys albonubes

Identification

Body elongated in length, slender, slightly flattened at the sides in front. Muzzle blunt, lips thin, lower jaw slightly protruding forward, moustache absent. The mouth is set high.   

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 2-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-7; Anal spines: 3; anal soft rays: 7-9. Dorsal fin short, anal fin, pectoral and pelvic fins small. Pelvic shield absent.

Fish colouring

The back is dark brown with a greenish tinge, the sides are brown and the belly is silvery white. In terms of colouration,  is similar to the Paracheirodon. In juveniles, when they reach a length of 4-5 mm, a shiny blue stripe appears on the side, which disappears when they reach sexual maturity (i.e. when the fish is 2-3 cm long).

Distribution

Asia: China and Vietnam. Considered extinct in the wild. Introduced elsewhere.

Habitat

Freshwater, bottom dwelling, tropical species. Occurs in clear coastal streams with slow currents between hydrophytes. Can survive in water temperatures as low as 5°C. 

Size

Size up to 4 cm. Normal length: 2.1 cm.

Behavior

In groups of 5 or more.

Food and feeding habits

It feeds on zooplankton and detritus. 

Reproduction

Sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed, the male being more slender than the female. Pre-spawning behaviour (under artificial conditions) is expressed in the division of the territory of the aquarium males. Attracted by the male, the female lays eggs. Fecundity for spawning is low, spawning is prolonged. 

Fishing

When actively caught for aquarium purposes, these fish are completely wiped out in their natural habitat.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. This aquarium fish is very mobile and unpretentious.