White Cloud Mountain Minnow

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) was discovered in 1932 on White Cloud Mountain near Guangzhou and quickly became one of the world's most popular aquarium fish. Its dazzling neon stripe, crimson fin tips, and tireless schooling behaviour make it a standout in any cool-water setup.

This species is exceptionally hardy, tolerating a wide temperature range and variable water chemistry. It was at one point thought extinct in the wild but has since been rediscovered in several Pearl River tributaries. Captive-bred stocks are widely available and robust.

Best kept in schools of eight or more, White Clouds are peaceful dither fish that encourage shy tank-mates to come out in the open. They will readily spawn in a well-planted aquarium, scattering eggs among fine-leaved plants.

Water: 14–22°C, pH 6.0–8.0, GH 2–15, moderate flow, well-oxygenated — no heater required in most homes. Tank: minimum 40 L, dense planting at the sides and back with open swimming space in the foreground. Feeding: omnivore — accepts high-quality flake, micro-pellets, frozen daphnia, cyclops, and baby brine shrimp. Breeding: egg-scatterer; spawns among fine-leaved plants; adults rarely eat eggs at lower temperatures. Compatibility: peaceful community fish; ideal with other coldwater nano species, hillstream loaches, and temperate shrimp.