white cloud minnow

White Cloud Mountain Minnow Overview

Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes
Origin: Southern China, specifically White Cloud Mountain
Adult Size: Up to 4 cm (around 1.5 inches)
Temperament: Peaceful and social
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Tank Size: 40L+
Temperature: 18–24°C

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are small, hardy freshwater fish prized for their delicate fins, shimmering colours, and calm temperament. They are active, schooling fish that do best in groups, adding lively movement to community aquariums. Their adaptability and resilience make them ideal for beginner aquarists, and they are tolerant of a range of water conditions.

Aquarium Requirements for White Cloud Mountain Minnow

White Cloud Mountain Minnows thrive in cool, stable freshwater tanks with gentle water flow.

Typical aquarium conditions include:

  • Tank Size: 40 litres or larger recommended

  • Temperature: 18–24°C

  • pH Range: 6.5 – 8.0

  • Filtration: Gentle filtration to maintain water clarity without strong currents

  • Aquarium Type: Planted tanks with open swimming areas, rocks, and driftwood for hiding

Regular maintenance and stable conditions help these fish remain healthy and active.

Feeding

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are omnivorous and require a simple, varied diet:

  • High-quality flake or micro-pellet foods

  • Live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, or micro worms

  • Occasional vegetable matter like finely blanched spinach

Feed 2 times daily, giving only what they can consume in a few minutes to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality.

 

Behaviour and Tank Mates

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are peaceful, active schooling fish.

  • Temperament: Calm, social, and non-aggressive

  • Tank mates: Ideal with other small, peaceful community fish such as guppies, neon tetras, and small livebearers

  • Social behaviour: Best kept in groups of 6 or more to encourage natural schooling behaviour

Their friendly and active nature makes them a great addition to a peaceful community aquarium.

Setting Up a White Cloud Mountain Minnow Aquarium

To create a healthy home for White Cloud Mountain Minnows:

  • Use a tank of 40L or larger

  • Include plants, rocks, and driftwood for natural cover

  • Maintain stable water parameters with regular partial water changes

  • Use gentle filtration to keep water clean without strong currents

  • House in schools of 6 or more to encourage natural swimming behaviour

White Cloud Mountain Minnows at Smith’s Aquatics

At Smith’s Aquatics in Stockton-on-Tees, we regularly stock White Cloud Mountain Minnows, showcasing their shimmering colours and peaceful nature.

Our team can help you with:

  • Choosing healthy fish

  • Planning a suitable aquarium setup

  • Selecting compatible tank mates

  • Advice on feeding and maintenance

If you are interested in keeping White Cloud Mountain Minnows, visit our store to speak with our aquatics team and learn more about these charming tropical fish.