Do White Cloud Mountain Minnows need a heater?

No. In most indoor homes, room temperature (around 18-22°C) is absolutely perfect for them. A heater is only required if your home gets exceptionally cold during the winter.

Can I keep White Clouds with Goldfish?

It is generally not recommended. While they both enjoy cooler water, Goldfish grow large enough to view the small minnows as food. Furthermore, Goldfish produce a very high bioload that can degrade the water quality for the minnows.

How many White Cloud Mountain Minnows should I buy?

They are a highly social schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. However, a larger group of eight to twelve or more will make them feel more secure and result in a much better visual display.

Why are my minnows losing their bright colours?

Colour loss is usually a sign of stress. The most common causes for White Clouds are water temperatures that are too warm (above 24°C), poor water quality, or being kept in too small a group. A dark substrate and plenty of plants also help them feel secure and display their best colours.

Are they safe to keep with shrimp?

Yes. White Clouds have very small mouths and are incredibly peaceful, making them one of the safest fish companions for dwarf shrimp, like Cherry Shrimp, in a planted aquarium.

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FreshwaterTropicalBeginner

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Tanichthys albonubes

An exceptionally hardy, active, and colourful shoaling fish perfect for unheated indoor aquariums and beginners.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 14 – 22 °C
pH range: 6 – 8
Hardness: 5 – 20 dGH
Adult size: 3 – 4 cm
60cm (2ft) standard aquarium: 54 litres+
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Diet: Omnivore
Water flow: moderate
Preferred setup: Densely planted with open swimming spaces and a secure lid.

About the White Cloud Mountain Minnow

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a quintessential classic of the aquarium hobby. Discovered in the 1930s by a Chinese Boy Scout leader named Tan, this small but vibrant fish was named after its beautiful mountainous origin. Renowned for their incredible hardiness, these minnows offer an energetic display of movement and flashes of iridescent colour. While millions are bred commercially for the trade, they remain remarkably rare in the wild. They bridge the gap between coldwater and tropical setups brilliantly, provided the water does not become excessively warm.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where White Cloud Mountain Minnow comes from

Native range

Guangdong Province, Hainan Island

Countries / regions

China, Vietnam

Habitat

Clear, slow-to-moderate flowing mountain streams with dense aquatic vegetation.

Once thought to be extinct in its type locality (Baiyun Mountain) due to tourism and pollution, small native populations have since been rediscovered in isolated pockets in Guangdong and Hainan.

Similar species

Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
Celestial Pearl Danio
Danio margaritatus

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
Both are highly active, robust schooling fish that thrive in cooler, subtropical water temperatures.
Great
Peppered Corydoras
Corydoras paleatus
A peaceful bottom dweller that perfectly shares the White Cloud's preference for unheated or cooler aquariums.
Great
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
White Clouds are small-mouthed and generally ignore adult dwarf shrimp, making them an excellent choice for cool, planted nano tanks.
Great
Betta Fish
Betta splendens
Significant temperature mismatch; Bettas require tropical heat (26°C+) which severely shortens the lifespan of White Clouds.
Compatible with caution
Fancy Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Despite both being coldwater species, Goldfish grow large enough to view the minnows as a snack and produce too much waste for them.
Not recommended

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