Product Details

Golden Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnow – Tanichthys albonubes

The Golden Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a beautiful captive-bred form of the classic White Cloud Mountain Minnow, combining a warm golden body colour with elegant extended fins. Also sold as the Golden White Cloud, Longfin White Cloud Minnow, Golden Longfin White Cloud or White Cloud Mountain Fish, this peaceful shoaling species is ideal for cooler planted aquariums, temperate community tanks and unheated indoor setups. It is hardy, active and attractive, but it should not be kept long term in hot tropical conditions.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Golden Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Other Names: Golden White Cloud, Longfin White Cloud Minnow, Golden Longfin White Cloud, White Cloud Mountain Fish, Canton Minnow
Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes
Strain / Form: Captive-bred golden longfin ornamental strain
Fish Type: Minnow / Shoaling Cyprinid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Tanichthys albonubes is native to southern China and has also been recorded from parts of Vietnam. Wild White Cloud Mountain Minnows are associated with clean, shallow, slow-moving streams and vegetated waters where aquatic plants, stones and gentle current provide shelter and feeding areas.

The Golden Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a captive-bred ornamental form, so its golden body colour and longer fins have been developed through selective breeding. Its care should still be based on the needs of the wild species: clean, well-oxygenated water, cooler temperatures, planted cover and open swimming space.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Golden Longfin White Clouds have a slim, streamlined body with a pale gold to yellow-gold colour and a bright horizontal stripe that may show silver, cream or faint iridescent tones. The fins are longer than those of the standard form, giving the fish a more flowing appearance, often with red, white or clear edging depending on the individual.

Adults usually reach around 3–4 cm. Males are generally slimmer and more colourful, while females tend to be fuller-bodied, especially when mature.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is well suited to planted temperate aquariums, unheated indoor tanks and peaceful cooler-water community setups. It appreciates open swimming areas, gentle to moderate flow, plants, floating cover and a secure lid.

Golden Longfin White Clouds are not ideal for very warm tropical aquariums or rough communities with fin-nipping fish. Their extended fins make them more vulnerable to nipping than standard White Clouds, so tank mates should be peaceful and not overly boisterous.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 45–60 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are better for bigger shoals and mixed temperate communities.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows. A proper group improves confidence, reduces stress and encourages natural shoaling and display behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 16–24°C
pH: 6.5–8.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Golden Longfin White Clouds prefer clean, stable, well-oxygenated water and do best at cooler temperatures rather than constant tropical warmth. Avoid high temperatures, poor oxygenation, unstable new aquariums and strong current that may buffet the long fins.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Golden Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnows are peaceful shoaling fish. Suitable tank mates include other White Clouds, Japanese Ricefish, small danios, Rosy Bitterlings, peaceful hillstream loaches and other calm temperate species that enjoy similar cooler conditions.

Avoid large predators, aggressive fish, fin-nippers, boisterous barbs, warm-water specialists and fish that require consistently high tropical temperatures. They should not be kept singly or in very small numbers, as this can make them nervous and less colourful.

Feeding:

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are small omnivores that naturally feed on zooplankton, tiny aquatic invertebrates and detritus. In the aquarium, offer quality fine flakes, micro pellets and small granules as the staple diet.

Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and finely chopped bloodworm. Their mouths are small, so foods should be appropriately sized. A varied diet helps maintain colour, fin condition and breeding readiness.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active upper to midwater shoaling fish that spends much of its time swimming in open areas and weaving through plants. Males may display to females and rival males, showing stronger colour and fin extension when settled.

Breeding is possible in mature planted aquariums. Eggs are scattered among plants, moss or spawning mops, and some fry may survive in densely planted tanks. Adults may eat eggs and fry, so separate rearing is recommended if you want to raise larger numbers.

Care Notes:

Keep Golden Longfin White Clouds in a proper group and avoid warm tropical setups. They do best in clean, oxygen-rich water with regular maintenance and stable cooler conditions.

Because this is a longfin strain, avoid fin-nipping tank mates and strong turbulent flow. Use a secure lid, as active minnows can jump when startled. Captive-bred stock is widely available and preferable to wild-caught fish, as wild populations have suffered from habitat pressure.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common to occasional / Captive-bred ornamental strain

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern, fin length, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.