Wild White Cloud

Tanichthys albonubes, the White Cloud Mountain Minnow, is one of the most iconic and widely kept freshwater aquarium fish in the world. Originally discovered in streams around White Cloud Mountain near Guangzhou, China, it became extinct in the wild during the 1980s but survives in great numbers through captive breeding programs worldwide.

Its slim body carries a bright neon-green to gold lateral stripe that fades to red toward the tail, while the dorsal and caudal fins display vivid red and white tips. In breeding condition, males develop particularly intense colouration. The species thrives in cool, clean water and is one of very few aquarium fish that can be kept in an unheated tank in a typical temperate household.

The wild form White Cloud remains a cornerstone beginner species, prized for its adaptability, hardiness, peaceful nature, and willingness to breed. It is an excellent introduction to fishkeeping and a classic occupant of planted cool-water aquariums.

Water: Temperature 14–22°C, pH 6.0–8.0, GH 5–20; highly adaptable; avoid temperatures above 24°C which cause stress and shortened lifespan. Tank: Minimum 40 L; planted cool-water setup; gentle to moderate filtration; tight lid as the species jumps readily. Feeding: Omnivorous; accepts all standard flake, micro-pellets, and frozen foods; live daphnia and brine shrimp enhance colour. Breeding: Very easy egg-scatterer; spawns over plants and mops; fry raised easily on micro-foods and baby brine shrimp. Compatibility: Peaceful with all similarly sized cool-water fish; avoids heated tropical tanks; classic companion for hillstream loaches and cool-water danios.