Product Details

White Cloud Mountain Minnow – Tanichthys albonubes

Overview:

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a classic small shoaling fish, loved for its hardiness, bright lateral stripe, red fins and suitability for unheated or cooler freshwater aquariums. Unlike many colourful community fish, Tanichthys albonubes does not need high tropical temperatures and is often at its best in a mature temperate setup with plants, open swimming space and good oxygenation. Peaceful, active and easy to feed, it is an excellent choice for beginners, planted aquariums and cooler-water community tanks.

Key Identification:

Common Name: White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Other Names: White Cloud Minnow, Canton Minnow, Poor Man’s Neon Tetra, White Cloud, Mountain Minnow
Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes
Fish Type: Minnow / Cyprinid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow was originally associated with clear, vegetated streams around White Cloud Mountain near Guangzhou, southern China, with later records from other parts of Guangdong and Vietnam. FishBase notes that adults occur in clean, sluggish coastal streams among aquatic plants and can tolerate very cool water, even down to around 5°C for survival.

In the aquarium, it is best treated as a cool-water, plant-loving shoaling fish that appreciates clean water, gentle to moderate flow and plenty of cover.

Appearance & Adult Size:

White Cloud Mountain Minnows have a slim body with a bright horizontal stripe that catches the light, usually set against a bronze, olive or pale body colour. The fins show red, orange or yellow tones, often with white edging, and males can look especially colourful when displaying. Adults usually reach around 3.5–4 cm, with FishBase listing a maximum of 4 cm total length. Females are usually a little fuller-bodied, while males are slimmer and more colourful.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is an excellent fish for unheated indoor aquariums, planted temperate tanks and peaceful cooler-water communities. It suits layouts with fine plants, mosses, floating cover, smooth stones, wood and open swimming lanes. It is not ideal for hot tropical aquariums, aggressive communities or tanks with large fish that may eat it.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are better for stronger shoals and more natural swimming behaviour. FishBase also notes aquarium keeping in groups of five or more with a minimum aquarium size of around 60 cm.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 16–22°C preferred
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: Soft to hard; adaptable if stable
Additional Notes: Avoid long-term high tropical temperatures, as cooler, oxygen-rich water suits this species better. FishBase lists an aquarium temperature range of 18–22°C, pH 6.0–8.0 and hardness 5–19 dH. Good filtration, regular water changes and a secure lid are recommended.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are peaceful, active shoaling fish. Suitable tank mates include other small temperate fish such as Zebra Danios, Rosy Barbs in larger tanks, Hillstream Loaches, small peaceful gobies, temperate livebearers in compatible water and other calm species that enjoy cooler conditions.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers and warm-water species that need consistently high temperatures. They should be kept in a group of at least 6, with 10 or more preferred for best colour, confidence and display behaviour.

Feeding:

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality fine flakes, micro pellets and small granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and small bloodworm. Seriously Fish notes that they accept aquarium foods readily but show best colour and condition with regular small live or frozen foods.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends much of its time in the middle and upper levels, swimming in a loose group. Males display to one another by spreading their fins and intensifying colour, especially in planted aquariums with open areas. They are active but not aggressive, and a larger group usually looks more natural than a small number of fish.

Care Notes:

Keep in a mature aquarium with stable water quality and avoid overheating. A heater is often unnecessary in a normally heated UK home, provided the room does not become too cold or fluctuate sharply. Use a secure lid, as small active fish can jump if startled. White Clouds are egg scatterers and may breed in planted tanks, with eggs deposited among fine plants or mosses. Never release unwanted fish outdoors, as this species is hardy and can survive in cooler water.

Recommended For:

Beginner

Availability:

Common / Captive-bred

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 and markings can occur between individual fish.