The longfin white cloud minnow is a small, peaceful schooling fish with long, trailing fins, suited to a cool tank. It is hardy and makes a good first fish.
Did you know
The ornamental longfin white cloud minnow is doing better than the wild fish, and tank-bred longfins ship worldwide. Seriously Fish records the species as extirpated from the mountain it is named for, and unrecorded anywhere between 1980 and 2001. Only a handful of relict populations have been found near the type locality since, and Chinese government agencies list it as endangered.
Caring for the longfin white cloud minnow
Keep longfin white cloud minnows in a school of at least six, since a tight group looks and behaves best. A small school fits in 10 gal (38 L) or more. They are active swimmers that hold in the middle and upper water. Avoid sharp decor and a hard outflow, since fins long enough to trail can catch and get pushed around.
Longfin white clouds like cool water, at 57 to 72°F (14 to 22°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They handle cooler water better than most community fish, so many homes need no heater if the room stays cool. Aim for soft, slightly acidic to neutral water, with some plants and current.
Longfin white cloud minnows are peaceful and undemanding. Feed them flake, micro pellets and small frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp. They scatter their eggs among plants and give no parental care, and breeding them is easy.
Good to know
The longfin white cloud minnow has fins that sellers describe as extended overall, not just the tail, giving an adult its trailing outline. Long-fin traits in aquarium fish are generally described as extended growth of the existing fin rays rather than added rays. The fin shape stays the same, and only the length differs. How the trait is inherited in this species is not documented in the hobby references, so claims that it breeds true are unverified. It is sold under two names, longfin white cloud and meteor minnow, and the older name still shows up on stock lists.
In the wild
The longfin white cloud minnow is a long-finned form selected in captivity, and it does not occur in wild white cloud populations. Seriously Fish lists long-finned among the ornamental strains without giving an origin. Wikipedia says the meteor minnow first appeared in the 1950s in Perth, Western Australia, but the claim has no citation or independent source. Current stock is tank-bred, and US sellers name European sources, including the Czech Republic. Aqua Huna labels its stock Longfin White Cloud (Czech Republic), so Czech-bred fish still feed the US market.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The longfin white cloud minnow is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Is a longfin white cloud minnow a different species from the White Cloud Mountain minnow?
No. A longfin white cloud minnow is a variety of the White Cloud Mountain minnow, Tanichthys albonubes, and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.
What size tank does a longfin white cloud minnow need?
A longfin white cloud minnow needs at least 10 gal (38 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What does a longfin white cloud minnow eat?
A longfin white cloud minnow eats flake and micro pellets, plus small frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp. It is an undemanding eater.
How big does a longfin white cloud minnow get?
An adult longfin white cloud minnow reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).
Does a longfin white cloud minnow need a group?
Yes. A longfin white cloud minnow is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a longfin white cloud minnow breed?
Longfin white cloud minnows scatter their eggs among plants and give them no parental care. Breeding them is easy.
1.2 in (3 cm)12 gal (45 L)64–73°F (18–23°C)
1.6 in (4 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
1.6 in (4 cm)20 gal (75 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)
1.6 in (4 cm)16 gal (60 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)