White cloud mountain minnow care guide
Also called: White cloud minnow, White cloud, Meteor minnow, Gold white cloud
A small, hardy minnow with red fins and a gold side stripe that prefers cool water. White clouds suit unheated tanks at 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). Keep six or more with other cool-water fish, not in a warm tropical tank.
White cloud mountain minnows need a tank of at least 15 gallons (57 L), a group of 6 or more, and water at 16–22°C (61–72°F) with a pH of 6.5–8. They grow to about 4 cm (1.6 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with white cloud mountain minnowsSee all tank mates
White cloud mountain minnow quick facts
| Scientific name | Tanichthys albonubes |
|---|---|
| Family | Tanichthyidae |
| Origin | Southern China (Guangdong, Hainan) and northern Vietnam; rare in the wild, all shop fish are captive-bred |
| Adult size | 4 cm (1.6 in) |
| Minimum tank | 15 gallons (57 L), at least 60 cm (24 in) long |
| Temperature | 16–22°C (61–72°F) |
| pH | 6.5–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–18 dGH |
| Group size | 6 or more (schooling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 4–6 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | Mostly (eats baby shrimp) |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Cold-water species: no heater needed in most homes.
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
A 15-gallon (57 L) tank about 60 cm (24 in) long suits a group of six to ten. Add plenty of rooted and floating plants and leave open space in the middle for swimming. Use a lid, as they jump now and then.
How many white cloud mountain minnows in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits white cloud mountain minnows is a 15 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | White cloud mountain minnows (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | 6–20 |
| 20 gallon | 6–27 |
| 20 gallon long | 6–27 |
| 29 gallon | 6–39 |
| 40 gallon | 6–54 |
| 55 gallon | 6–74 |
| 75 gallon | 6–102 |
| 125 gallon | 6–170 |
What you need for white cloud mountain minnows
Sized for a 15 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 6 white cloud mountain minnows. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 15 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 60–90 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 35 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 24 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for white cloud mountain minnows
- Micro pellets or flakes for small fish (opens Amazon in a new tab)Small enough for tetras, rasboras and other nano fish.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 15 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)White cloud mountain minnow can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
Keep them cool: about 16–22 °C (61–72 °F) is ideal, and most homes need no heater. Living for months above about 24 °C (75 °F) shortens their lives. They accept pH 6.5–8.0 and soft to hard water, but need clean, well-oxygenated water.
Best tank mates for white cloud mountain minnows
These popular species share white cloud mountain minnows' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 9 good matches.
Fancy goldfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 18–23°C (64–73°F)
Zebra danio
5 cm (2 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)
Hillstream loach
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20–24°C (68–75°F)
Rosy barb
9 cm (3.5 in) · 18–24°C (64–75°F)
Dwarf orange crayfish
4 cm (1.6 in) · 18–24°C (64–75°F)
Paradise fish
8 cm (3.1 in) · 16–24°C (61–75°F)
Gold barb
7 cm (2.8 in) · 18–24°C (64–75°F)
Variatus platy
6 cm (2.4 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)
Avoid keeping white cloud mountain minnows with
- Angelfish: They need different temperatures: White cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F), angelfish 24–29°C (75–84°F).
- Betta fish: They need different temperatures: White cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F), betta fish 24–28°C (75–82°F).
- Common goldfish: Common goldfish can eat white cloud mountain minnows: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Common pleco: They need different temperatures: White cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F), common pleco 23–28°C (73–82°F).
- Dwarf gourami: They need different temperatures: White cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F), dwarf gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F).
- Oscar: They need different temperatures: White cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F), oscar 23–27°C (73–81°F).
Feeding
In the wild they pick small bugs and other tiny animals out of the water. Feed a quality flake or micro pellet as the base, plus small frozen or live foods like daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworms. Varied feeding keeps their colours bright.
Behavior
Very peaceful and safe with other small fish that like cool water. Males flare their fins at each other to show off, which is harmless. Good tankmates include zebra danios, variatus platies and cherry shrimp. Avoid goldfish, which grow large enough to eat them.
Breeding
Among the easiest fish to breed. They scatter eggs among fine plants or moss, and while adults may eat eggs, they tend to leave free-swimming fry alone, so young often appear in planted tanks. Eggs hatch in about two days, and fry eat infusoria or powdered food, then baby brine shrimp.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Skip warm tropical tanks. Months above about 22–24 °C (72–75 °F) shorten their lives.
- Keep at least six. In a group, males show their best colours while displaying to each other.
- Never house them with goldfish, which grow big enough to eat them.
- Shop fish are often inbred. Pick active, well-coloured fish with straight spines.
- A good choice for a small unheated tank in a room that stays above about 16 °C (61 °F).
Frequently asked questions
Do white cloud mountain minnows need a heater?
Usually not. They do best at about 16–22 °C (61–72 °F), so most indoor rooms are fine. Add a heater only if the room gets colder than that.
Can white cloud minnows live with goldfish?
It's not recommended. Goldfish grow large and messy, can eat white clouds, and need a much bigger tank.
Can white cloud mountain minnows live with a betta?
Not well. Bettas need about 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), which is too warm for white clouds to stay healthy long term.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.