White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
Family: Cyprinidae • Origin: East Asia
White Cloud Mountain Minnows are peaceful, colorful cold-water fish. No heater needed — perfect for room temperature tanks.
Is White Cloud Mountain Minnow Right for Your Tank?
White Cloud Mountain Minnow is an excellent choice for beginners — rated "beginner" difficulty (1/5). They're hardy, forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations, and generally easy to feed. At just 10 gallons minimum, they work well in nano tanks and smaller setups.
With a peaceful temperament, White Cloud Mountain Minnow makes a great community fish. They coexist well with other non-aggressive species of similar size. This is a schooling species — keep at least 6 together, or they may become stressed and display abnormal behavior. Expected lifespan: 5 years with proper care.
Common Mistakes with White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Keeping fewer than 6 together
White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a schooling species — they need a group of at least 6 to feel secure. Lone or paired individuals become stressed, hide constantly, and may develop health issues or aggression.
Putting them in a tank under 10 gallons
While 10 gallons is the minimum, nano tanks require more frequent water changes and leave less room for error. A slightly larger tank (15 gal) is much more forgiving.
Care Tips
- • Cold water — NO heater needed
- • Cannot be kept with tropical fish
- • Extremely hardy
- • Keep in groups of 6+
- • Perfect for unheated indoor tanks
Feeding: Flakes, micro pellets, frozen foods. Easy to feed.
Compatibility Notes: Cold water fish — does NOT need a heater. Cannot be kept with tropical species. Perfect for unheated tanks.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 15 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 57–72°F
- pH Range
- 6–8
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–20
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Cold water fish — does NOT need a heater. Cannot be kept with tropical species. Perfect for unheated tanks.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 5 years
Ideal For
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