[RackinRocky]

I have 5 white cloud minnows, but one looks different. I have seen online that the females are bigger and fatter, but this one acts different from the others. It's more friendly and mellow, and looks a lot like some of the Pencil fish pics I've seen. Can you tell me if it's a Pencil fish or female cloud Minnow? Thank you.

 

[RackinRocky]

I can't believe no one can answer this!

 

[Quantum]

it is a female cherry barb

 

[RackinRocky]

WHAT? You are joking, aren't you? That is the LAST thing I expected to hear! LOL

I don't wanna cherry barb! Please. someone, say he's wrong!

 

[rexpepper651]

def looks very similar to the female cherry barb. def not a cloud minnow tho. its markings at totally different.

 

[RackinRocky]

Yes, the markings are what caught my attention too, but I just figured maybe the females are marked differently. My apologies to Quantum! I looked online and it DOES look like a Cherry barb to me. And I remember when I got this fish that the tank was labeled White Cloud Mountain Minnows, but some of them were bright red! I couldn't figure out why. So it makes sense--they were put into the wrong tank! Good ole' Petsmart. I don't buy from them anymore. Just read about the Cherry barb, and thank goodness they aren't nippy like most other barbs. So I really lucked out! I won't have to take her back, and I will go out this week and get her a male. Poor thing, she's been sort of hanging out with the minnows, but mostly by herself. She's so mellow and kick back, and I thought all barbs were hyper and nasty! So I'm actually a little pleased. Thank you for the help, both of you!

 

[rexpepper651]

i like buying from petsmart for their huge selection of fish. the only downsides is mislabeling and lack of knowledge these stores provide. granted there is some people who work at these places who do know their stuff. i always go in educated on the fish im looking for and what have you. always good to be prepared! cute fish tho!

 

[RackinRocky]

At least 75% of the fish I've gotten at Petsmart have been sick and died, and it was from one of their fish that I got a virulent form of Columnaris in my tank. I think it's finally gone now--been a long 8-9 months! And I lost MANY fish to it. I do research fish before I go to buy one to be sure I have the right PH, temperature, tankmates, etc., but since this fish was in a tank labeled White Cloud Minnows, and I knew the females were bigger and fatter, I just assumed that's what it was. Didn't look closely enough. I'm going to an LFS an hour away next week to get her a male. I haven't gotten a sick fish from them yet. I saw her chase one of the male minnows today. I'll watch and make sure she's not making a habit of it before getting a male. That could be double trouble! Maybe its just because she DOESN'T have one of her kind. I hope so. Thanks again.