The White Cloud Mountain Minnow has held a beloved place in the aquarium hobby for nearly a century since its discovery near the White Cloud Mountain (Baiyun Shan) outside Guangzhou, China. For a period it was thought extinct in the wild, though populations have since been rediscovered. At just 4 cm, it is a true nano fish that thrives in cool water — a characteristic that sets it apart from the vast majority of tropical aquarium species and makes it ideal for unheated aquaria in temperate climates. Its coloration is striking for its small size: a vivid red to pink lateral stripe bordered above by iridescent silver or gold runs from the snout to the tail, terminating in a red-spotted caudal fin, giving it a resemblance to the Neon Tetra — hence the nickname 'Poor Man's Neon.' Males are slimmer and more colorful; females are deeper-bodied. The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is wholly peaceful, schooling, and adaptable to a wide pH range. It is one of the most suitable fish for beginners and for naturalistic, minimally heated planted aquaria. A school of eight or more individuals looks stunning in a well-planted, cool-water setup. Its combination of beauty, hardiness, peaceful nature, and tolerance of cool temperatures make it an enduring classic.
