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I've "made" some really red white cloud minnows

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#21 ·
I've had this question for a while and maybe this would be a good thread to ask it in.

Why aren't there more varieties of white clouds? With how hardy they are and easy to breed I'm surprised there isn't a nearly completely red variety, or varieties with lots of orange or yellow, or ones that keep the blue stripe they have when they are young.

What's holding them back? How great would it be to have a fish with the flashy coloring of a neon terta and the toughness of a white cloud.
 
#22 ·
TheDukeAnumber1 said:
I've had this question for a while and maybe this would be a good thread to ask it in.

Why aren't there more varieties of white clouds? With how hardy they are and easy to breed I'm surprised there isn't a nearly completely red variety, or varieties with lots of orange or yellow, or ones that keep the blue stripe they have when they are young.

What's holding them back? How great would it be to have a fish with the flashy coloring of a neon terta and the toughness of a white cloud.
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If I had to guess, it is because they have a reputation as something barely above feeders. A boring, beginner fish.
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
^I think that's a big part of it. Also, I suspect some fish are just more prone to express genetic mutations than others. Lots of traits are hereditary, such as the simple recessive long finned gene. Others are selectively bred for traits, like the reds I'm hoping to eventually achieve with these. I think they can go a long way to getting more red if I (or someone else) were to be more careful about only keeping the reddest ones for breeding stock. But as @straha20 pointed out, they're still a white cloud, and won't likely be particularly valuable. It would be a lot of work and years of selective breeding for a fish that would still probably retail under $5.
 
#24 ·
We'll then I guess it is up to us. I'm starting with pretty vanilla stock but am on my second generation. Hopefully in a few years I'll make enough progress that it will be worth trading stock. I want their yellow band widened out as-well, some of mine look fantastic.

I also have one that literally can only make left turns, named it Nascar. Probably won't breed for that though lol.
 
#25 ·
Blue Ridge Reef said:
Every couple of years I take the prettiest handful of my white clouds and remove them to breed. I originally got this batch in around 2008-2009, and have been kind of selectively breeding them (not very strictly). The last few years they have colored up a ton from what is in my profile pic. The males have more salmon red color and it shows up best when they are flashing at one another. Nothing too outrageous, just thought it was neat. And hopefully in a few more generations of doing this, it will continue to improve.
Image
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TRADEMARK it and make MILLIONS of $$$!!!
 
#26 ·
Blue Ridge Reef said:
Every couple of years I take the prettiest handful of my white clouds and remove them to breed. I originally got this batch in around 2008-2009, and have been kind of selectively breeding them (not very strictly). The last few years they have colored up a ton from what is in my profile pic. The males have more salmon red color and it shows up best when they are flashing at one another. Nothing too outrageous, just thought it was neat. And hopefully in a few more generations of doing this, it will continue to improve.
Image
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Nice pictures, but I prefer the naturally colored white clouds.
 
#27 ·
Blue Ridge Reef said:
...pointed out, they're still a white cloud, and won't likely be particularly valuable. It would be a lot of work and years of selective breeding for a fish that would still probably retail under $5.
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Who knows? Glo-fish are just zebra danios and Red Clouds are way cooler, IMO. Not $5 cooler, but easily an extra dollar cooler...

I see regular WCMM for 1.50- 1.99, I think these would do well at 3.29 or ten for 30 just because they're unique. Just sayin...:icon_wink
 
Discussion starter · #28 ·
TMarquis said:
Nice pictures, but I prefer the naturally colored white clouds.
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Well, these aren't artificially colored! But I get that not every thing is for everybody and there are plenty of normally colored white clouds out there for folks who prefer them.
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
Thanks, but it was really very little effort. I just picked a few pretty ones and bred them every year for a long while.

Just FYI for anyone watching, the fish on the still shot at the beginning are regular fish, not mine! Mine make an appearance towards the end.
 
#34 ·
Discussion starter · #35 ·
Discusluv said:
Excellent!
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Yeah, I'm really glad Rachel got some and will be working with the line. She has been a gem of a lady in our interactions as well. Interestingly, the shrimp guy (who will go unnamed) dropped communication after showing interest in a trade. So I have a pretty ridiculous amount of adults at the moment, which are not nearly as easy to ship. These are 2.5" fish and super active and high metabolism. I may make a trek to the next Charlotte auction assuming they are still doing those. Hardest part is, I just want shrimp and a few plants and everybody seems to want to trade fish.
 
#37 ·
Stunning WCM, Blue Ridge.

Until recently I lived in the VA mountains and years ago overwintered a few WCM outside in a below grade rain barrel. Tough fish.

I've been thinking on a fish breeding program to explore with my grand daughters(5&3) next spring.
I'll be moving next door to them so, super convenient.
It would a privilege to expand your Blue Ridge Reds line if you have and can part with a breeding school then.

JJ
 
#40 ·
How wonderful! Goodluck in the breeding.

I did notice two of my female WCM being more green than the rest of the school. As well as one of my males having yellow fintips vs white fintips.

Unfortunately I'm not sure why this happens but in my pond almost 80% of the time after the females spawn they just stop eating and die. Am I doing something wrong on my end?
They live in an uncrowded 200 Gallon pond. Cycled and all.
 
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