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
- 12 gal
- 45 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- 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
Keep a school of at least six, since a tight group looks and behaves best. They are active swimmers that hold in the middle and upper water. They are peaceful and undemanding, eating flake, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like daphnia and brine shrimp. A 45 liter tank suits a small school, and they do well in unheated setups as long as the room stays cool.
In the wild
This minnow comes from cool, clear mountain streams in Guangdong, China, near White Cloud Mountain. Those streams run cooler than most tropical fish like, so it does not need a heater in many homes. Aim for temperatures from the mid teens up to about 22 C, with soft, slightly acidic to neutral water and some plants and current.
Good to know
It is a small cyprinid in the family Cyprinidae, reaching about 4 cm. It is hardy and tolerates cooler water better than most community fish. It spawns by scattering eggs among plants with no parental care, and breeding is easy. It was once feared extinct in the wild and has been listed as threatened due to habitat loss, even though it is extremely common in the hobby.
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, even while it remained one of the most common fish in the aquarium trade.
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.
Rainbow stiphodon
Stiphodon ornatus
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Sicklefin livebearer
Girardinus falcatus
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Wandering snail
Ampullaceana balthica
Freshwater0.8 in (2 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)50–84°F (10–29°C)
Kitty tetra
Hyphessobrycon heliacus
Freshwater1.3 in (3.4 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Golden dwarf sucker
Otocinclus macrospilus
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Dubois' panchax
Epiplatys duboisi
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a White Cloud Mountain minnow need?
A White Cloud Mountain minnow needs at least 12 gal (45 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.
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.
Related species
1.2 in (3 cm)12 gal (45 L)64–73°F (18–23°C)Vietnamese white cloud
Tanichthys micagemmae
1.2 in (3 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Canius barb
Pethia canius
1.6 in (4 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Glowing ember barb
Enteromius candens
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1.6 in (4 cm)20 gal (75 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)Golden dwarf barb
Pethia gelius
1.6 in (4 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)16 gal (60 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)Jae barb
Enteromius jae
1.6 in (4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Redlip barb
Pethia erythromycter
1.6 in (4 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)