White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys Albonubes)

*Note: Images are used as an example only. Due to the nature of live animals, colouration, size and patterns may vary.*

White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes
(Also known as the White Cloud Minnow or White Cloud Mountain Fish.)

Overview
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a small, peaceful schooling fish known for its shimmering silver body, iridescent stripe, and flashes of red and gold across the fins. Originally associated with cool, clear mountain streams in southern China, these hardy nano fish are active swimmers that bring plenty of movement and colour to a community aquarium. Their preference for cooler water also makes them different from many commonly kept tropical fish.

Key Features

• Shimmering silver body with an iridescent lateral stripe

• Attractive red and gold highlights on the fins

• Peaceful schooling species with lively natural behaviour

• Hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for beginners

• Particularly well suited to cooler freshwater aquariums

• Males display brighter colours and more pronounced fins when competing for females

Care Level: Easy
One of the more forgiving small freshwater fish when kept in clean, stable water. Their natural preference for cooler temperatures makes them particularly useful for unheated aquariums.

Habitat Requirements
Environment Type: Freshwater
Tank Size: Best results in 40+ litres with adequate swimming space and a suitable group
Temperature: Ideally 18–22°C; can tolerate approximately 16–24°C when acclimated and maintained appropriately
Water Parameters: pH 6.5–8.0
Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water; adaptable to a range of conditions
Water Flow: Gentle to moderate, with some open swimming areas
Aquascape: Plants, rocks, driftwood, and darker areas provide security, while open areas allow the school to swim naturally

Diet
Primary Diet: High-quality small pellets, nano granules, or finely crushed flakes
Variety: Frozen or live foods such as daphnia, baby brine shrimp, cyclops, and mosquito larvae can help enhance colour and condition
Flexible Options: Will readily accept a variety of appropriately sized prepared foods
Feeding Frequency: Small meals 1–2 times per day

Compatibility
Tank Mates: Other peaceful cool-water fish and suitably sized peaceful community species
Avoid: Large, aggressive, predatory, or highly boisterous fish that may intimidate or consume them
Temperament: Peaceful and active; males may occasionally spar with each other without causing significant harm

Size and Lifespan
Adult Size: Approximately 3–4 cm
Typical Lifespan: 3–5 years with consistent care

Behaviour and Activity
White Cloud Mountain Minnows are active schooling fish that spend much of their time swimming through the middle and upper areas of the aquarium. Males often display their colours to females and may briefly compete with one another by displaying their fins. They are most confident and active when kept in a proper group, with larger groups often producing more natural schooling behaviour.

Special Requirements or Considerations
White Cloud Mountain Minnows should be kept in groups of at least six, with larger groups generally recommended for more natural behaviour and improved confidence. They are a cool-water species, so consistently warm tropical aquarium temperatures should be avoided.

A secure aquarium lid is recommended, as active minnows can jump when startled or when chasing one another.

When selecting tank mates, prioritise species with similar temperature requirements. Avoid combining them with fish that require significantly warmer tropical conditions.

Ideal For

• Cool-water freshwater aquariums

• Peaceful community setups

• Planted aquariums

• Unheated aquariums in suitable climates

• Beginner aquarists seeking a hardy schooling fish

• Aquarists wanting active, colourful nano fish

Additional Notes
White Cloud Mountain Minnows are an excellent choice for aquarists looking for a hardy, peaceful schooling species that does not require tropical temperatures. Their iridescent bodies and colourful fins are particularly attractive when kept in a larger group and provided with plenty of swimming space.

Stable water quality, appropriate cooler temperatures, a varied diet, and a suitably sized group will help these active minnows display their best colour and natural behaviour.