White Cloud Mountain Minnow - Tanichthys albonubes

White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes)

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a classic small freshwater shoaling fish, loved for its bright silver-gold body, red tail, subtle iridescent stripe and peaceful nature. Also known as the White Cloud Minnow or White Cloud Mountain Fish, this species is ideal for cooler unheated aquariums and well-planned temperate community setups. Although often sold as a tropical fish, it is much better suited to cooler, stable water rather than permanently warm tropical conditions.

Common Name:
White Cloud Mountain Minnow. Also commonly referred to as the White Cloud Minnow, White Cloud Mountain Fish, White Cloud Fish or Canton Minnow.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Tanichthys albonubes

Maximum Size:
Around 3–4 cm in captivity, making it a small and active shoaling fish.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Originally known from the White Cloud Mountain area near Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, and nearby Pearl River Delta region habitats. Wild populations have become extremely limited and the species is now mainly encountered in the aquarium trade as captive-bred stock. In nature, it is associated with clean, shallow, slow-moving streams and vegetated waters.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 14–22°C preferred
pH Range: 6.5–8.0
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water

Temperament:
Very peaceful and suitable for calm community aquariums. It should not be kept with large, aggressive or predatory fish, as its small size makes it vulnerable.

Diet:
Omnivorous micro-feeder. It should be offered a varied diet including quality fine flake, micro pellets, crushed granules, frozen daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, bloodworm and occasional live foods. Small foods are best due to its size.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 60 litres for a proper group, with a longer aquarium preferred to allow natural shoaling and active swimming.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-to-upper level shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 8, ideally 10 or more. In good numbers it becomes more confident, colourful and natural in behaviour. Males may display to each other with raised fins, but this is usually harmless. A secure lid is recommended, as small active fish can jump when startled.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful and works well in cooler community aquariums with other small, calm fish that enjoy similar conditions. Suitable tank mates include small danios, peaceful hillstream loaches, rosy loaches, small temperate barbs, peaceful Corydoras in suitable temperatures and suitable shrimp in established aquariums. Avoid warm tropical setups, fin nippers, large goldfish, aggressive fish and any species large enough to eat them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, well-filtered aquarium with clean water, stable temperatures, gentle to moderate flow and plenty of plant cover. It does not need a heater in most homes and usually thrives in cooler water. Long-term exposure to high tropical temperatures should be avoided, as this can increase stress and shorten lifespan. Darker substrate, floating plants and open swimming space will help bring out natural colour and behaviour.

Suitable for:
Beginner fishkeepers

Availability:
Common in trade, usually as captive-bred stock

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.