The White Cloud Mountain minnow is practically extinct in its native habitat, due to pollution and tourism.

[3] It was believed to be extinct for over 20 years in 1980,[4] but an apparently native population of this fish was discovered on Hainan Island, well away from the White Cloud Mountain.

[5] However, inbreeding in farms has led to genetically weak stock that is vulnerable to disease and prone to physical deformities.

This species grows to approximately 4 cm (1.6 in)) in overall length, and is silver-green in color with a bright red caudal and dorsal fin.

The species can also be found in a golden cultivar and a rosy pink variety that displays red on all of the fins, and all color morphs can have long finnage.

In times of extreme ecological pressure, such as drought or sunlight infiltration, the minnow often overlooks the simple vegetation for more nutritious food sources including fruits, nuts, and in extreme cases mountain minnows have been observed scavenging off carcasses of fellow pond dwelling organisms.

White Cloud Mountain minnows are considered a good fish for beginners, as they are extremely forgiving with regard to aquarium temperature and water quality.

The minnows are usually top or middle-level swimmers and rarely swim close to the bottom of a tank.

In fact, White Clouds are more active and healthier when kept at temperatures lower than those at which most tropical tanks are kept.

The Meteor Minnow first made its appearance in the 1950s in Perth, Western Australia, and the Golden Cloud in the 1990s.

Adult White Cloud Mountain minnows will sometimes eat frog eggs as the tadpoles begin to move about or wait for them to hatch.