HELP! am just getting aquarium and have tons of questions

Question
im getting a few white cloud mountain minnows and the atank i have doesn't have a heater but, where i live, it gets really hot in the summer. i'll keep my fish out of direct sunlight but they might get overheated anyway! and how big are thier adult size?   
and before i asked the store for a male and it started haveing kids so i'm very comfused.......

Answer
Dear Sal, welcome to this facinating and relaxing hobby!
The gorgeous White Cloud Mountain Minnows are a hardy and interesting schooling fish from the "white cloud" mountain in china. Native to the cool-water streams on this mountain. These minnnows prefer cooler water, in the range of 65-72 but do just fine in warmer water as well...Just insure their warmer water is well aerated. Warmer temperature water holds less oxygen. Around here we always have very hot summers. I would imagine you aren't going to let your home become the same temperature as the outside? If you're worried, or your home isn't cooled all that much. Try to keep your White clouds aquarium in the coolest area of the house but not where the aquarium may get chilling drafts or unstable temperatures.

White clouds mature at about 1 inch to inch and a half. They enjoy being in large schools of at least 6 or more and must not have aggressive companions. The other fish that are to live with them should also be compatible with the cooler temperatures.

The most important thing you should do when setting up your aquarium is to FIRST cycle it. Cycling means establishing special beneficial bacteria whom convert toxic fish waste by-products (ammonia) into less harmful compounds called nitrate. The bacteria first convert ammonia into nitrite which is still dangerous--later into nitrate which is the end product and is used by plants or is removed by your weekly/twice weekly water changes. But remember the cycling process takes time, many weeks just depending on your individual situation. Most aquariums cycle within 4-6 weeks. It is vital that you do not stock your aquarium to it's full capacity during cycling or even after it. Everything during cycling must be taken slow and with lots of patience, do not add too many fish at one time or they can literally poison themselves because there aren't yet enough beneficial bacteria there to convert the waste they produce.

What would be best is for you to have a good test kit for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. This is essential for monitering these levels and knowing if the water is safe or not for your cycling fish. It's only ethical to ensure no fish is living in polluted water with high ammonia--no matter how hardy any fish is claimed to be, ammonia burns their gills, fins and will eventually          .. :( Please test your aquarium everyday after the addition of your cycling fish. Which I will get to in just a moment.

*Depending on your aquarium size (you didn't mention) at least a 10-15 gallon could probably handle about 4 white clouds for cycling. Do not add anymore fish or aquatic life until the aquarium is cycled completely. Make sure your water is dechlorinated properly for chlorine and chloramines with a good water conditioner. Hopefully your water temperature will be stable, your filter running smoothly, and gravel and decor will be in place. Now you can add your several white clouds.

*Test your water everyday and take note of your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. If ammonia or nitrite are above safe bounds, immediately without delay do a 30-50% water change. Remember to make the replacement water equal in temperature to that of your aquarium and insure it is dechlorinated.

*Remember to feed very lightly and once a day during cycling. Later when the aquarium has established fully, you can feed a smidge bit more and include more variety.

*Patience, you should notice some rising and falling in ammonia and nitrite and the later nitrate may appear. When your ammonia and nitrite have dropped to zero and nitrate has appeared. Your aquarium has cycled! And now you can add a few more Mountain minnows or perhaps a few other compatible fish with them. But for safety precautions, add no more than 2-3 fish per week to allow the beneficial bacteria to adjust to the new bioload put on them.

~I noticed you mentioned you asked your petstore for a male White cloud? And it started having kids? :)) :)))
Well, I hope you certainly meant he laid eggs which would of course indicate he/is a she. White cloud minnows are easy little critters to spawn. These little minnows spawn over plants in cool-water. About 36 hours after spawning the tiny eggs hatch. The white cloud fry should be fed small live foods like newly hatched brine shrimp and other tiny foods....

Well, I do hope this helps you out and answers all of your questions. If you need anymore info or have anymore concerns, feel free to write me...

An aquarium with the beautiful White cloud Mountain minnows is the perfect setup for beginning aquarists. As long as they are well-cared for, they will live and thrive and perhaps even spawn for you.

Best wishes and Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~