One species · 2 varieties
White Cloud Mountain minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 57–72°F
- 14–22°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.6 in
- 4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 10 gal
- 38 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Egg scatterer · Easy
- Rarity
- Very common
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Origin
- China
Pick a variety
One setup covers every line on this page: care is the species' care.
Overview
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a small, peaceful schooling fish for a cool community tank. It is hardy and a good first fish.
Did you know
The genus name Tanichthys means Tan's fish, after Tan Kam Fei, who is credited with bringing the species to attention in the 1930s. For decades it was thought to be gone from the wild, until small populations turned up again. All the while, it remained one of the most common fish in the aquarium trade.
Caring for the White Cloud Mountain minnow
Keep White Cloud Mountain 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.
These minnows like cool water at 57 to 72°F (14 to 22°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They tolerate cooler water better than most community fish, so many homes need no heater as long as the room stays cool. Aim for soft, slightly acidic to neutral water, with some plants and current.
White Cloud Mountain minnows are peaceful and undemanding. Feed flake, micro pellets and small frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp. They spawn by scattering eggs among plants and give no parental care, and breeding them is easy.
Good to know
The White Cloud Mountain minnow, Tanichthys albonubes, is a small cyprinid in the family Cyprinidae. It has been listed as threatened in the wild because of habitat loss.
In the wild
The White Cloud Mountain minnow comes from cool, clear mountain streams in Guangdong, China, near White Cloud Mountain. Those streams run cooler than most tropical fish like.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Every variety on this page wants the same water, so one set of picks fits them all. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Harlequin moth catfish
Pseudolaguvia ribeiroi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Dubois' panchax
Epiplatys duboisi
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Green babaulti shrimp
Caridina babaulti
Freshwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a White Cloud Mountain minnow need?
A White Cloud Mountain minnow needs at least 10 gal (38 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a White Cloud Mountain minnow need?
A White Cloud Mountain minnow is comfortable at 57–72°F (14–22°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a White Cloud Mountain minnow eat?
A White Cloud Mountain minnow is an undemanding eater. Offer flake and micro pellets, with small frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp.
How big does a White Cloud Mountain minnow get?
An adult White Cloud Mountain minnow reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).
Does a White Cloud Mountain minnow need a group?
Yes. A White Cloud Mountain minnow is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a White Cloud Mountain minnow breed?
White Cloud Mountain minnows scatter their eggs among plants and leave them with no parental care. Breeding them is easy.
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