White Cloud Mountain Minnow Care Guide
Tanichthys albonubes · Easy care · 10 gallon minimum
A hardy, cool-water nano fish that thrives unheated; a brilliant, peaceful schooler for beginners.
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How big does a white cloud mountain minnow get?
A white cloud mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) reaches about 1.5 inches as an adult. Plan tank size and tank mates around the adult size, not the small fish you buy at the store.
Tank size & setup
Give a white cloud mountain minnow a minimum of 10 gallons, with water at 60–72°F and a pH of 6–8. Keep them in groups of at least 6 — they are shoaling fish and become stressed and washed-out alone. As a easy-care, omnivore species, a stable, cycled tank with the right diet keeps them healthiest.
Good tank mates
Pair a white cloud mountain minnow with peaceful species that share its temperature and pH range. Compatible options include:
- Neon Tetra — 1.5", 10g min
- Guppy — 2.0", 10g min
- Molly — 4.0", 20g min
- Platy — 2.5", 10g min
- Zebra Danio — 2.0", 10g min
About the white cloud mountain minnow
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a hardy species of freshwater fish and coldwater fish often kept in an aquarium. The species was considered to be a member of the carp family of the order Cypriniformes, although now it is placed in the family Tanichthyidae. This species is native to China. The White Cloud Mountain minnow is practically extinct in its native habitat, due to pollution and tourism. It was believed to be extinct for over 20 years in 1980, but an apparently native population of this fish was discovered on Hainan Island, well away from the White Cloud Mountain. They are bred in farms and are easily available through the aquarium trade. However, inbreeding in farms has led to genetically weak stock that is vulnerable to disease and prone to physical deformities.
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