White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
Also known as White Cloud, Meteor Minnow
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A small, red-finned cool-water fish that can often live without a heater in a temperate room. It is very peaceful and hardy, making it a strong beginner choice. Just remember it wants cooler water than most tropical community fish, and it is not a goldfish companion.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 14 US gal
- Footprint
- 24 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 57–72 °F
- pH
- 6–8.5
- Hardness
- 5–20 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 10 fish
- Lifespan
- 3–7 years
White Cloud Mountain Minnow care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 10 fish so they feel secure.
- Do not keep it warm for long. It is a cool-water fish that struggles in warm tropical tanks.
- Never house it with goldfish. Despite the old advice, goldfish grow large enough to eat it.
- Check tank mates carefully, because few tropical species share its cool temperature range.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia reticulata
Xiphophorus maculatus
Sewellia lineolata
Apistogramma borellii
Epiplatys annulatus
Carassius auratus
Paracheirodon innesi
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Poecilia sphenops
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Trigonostigma espei
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Poecilia wingei
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as White Cloud Mountain Minnow.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed small flakes or micro pellets.
- Add live or frozen daphnia and brine shrimp for stronger color.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Mature females are usually rounder in the belly and a little larger than the slimmer, more colorful males.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Native to
- Southern China
- Adult size
- 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Micro-Predator
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Easy Egg-Scatterer
White Cloud Mountain Minnow FAQ
What size tank do White Cloud Mountain Minnows need?
Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons (54 liters), with a footprint of 60 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many White Cloud Mountain Minnows should I keep?
Keep at least 10 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with White Cloud Mountain Minnows?
Good matches on our list include Fancy Guppy, Platy and Hillstream Loach. Avoid Cardinal Tetra and Glowlight Tetra.
How long do White Cloud Mountain Minnows live?
Care guides report about 3–7 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Do white cloud minnows need a heater?
Often not, as long as your room stays reasonably mild and steady. A heater only helps if the room gets colder than the range shown above.
Where to buy White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. We earn nothing from these links. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
We have not found a store that sells White Cloud Mountain Minnow under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 14 US gallons (54 L), 60 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.