White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cyprinidae
📍 White Cloud Mountain, Guangzhou, China
Once thought to be extinct in the wild, the white cloud mountain minnow is a cold-tolerant fish that thrives at room temperature without a heater. It has a subtle but attractive iridescent stripe and pairs well with pond-style or unheated aquariums.
Care Guide
Diet
White Cloud Mountain Minnows are omnivores that thrive on high-quality flake foods and micro pellets as staples, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with live or frozen foods like daphnia and bloodworms. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes, as overfeeding degrades water quality in their small tanks.
Behavior
These peaceful, active schooling fish are most comfortable in groups of 6 or more, where they display natural shoaling behavior and reduced stress. They occupy the mid-water column and are relatively hardy, preferring cooler temperatures and remaining active even at room temperature without a heater. They are non-aggressive toward other peaceful species and rarely nip fins.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is possible but requires patience and specific conditions: slightly cooler water (18-20°C), dense vegetation for egg scattering, and separation of fry from adults to prevent predation. Females are prolific and can produce hundreds of eggs, but raising fry to adulthood requires infusoria or liquid fry food initially, making it moderately challenging for beginners.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and compatible water parameters make them ideal companions
Tiny, peaceful danio with overlapping temperature preferences and non-aggressive behavior
Small, peaceful, and thrive in cool to moderate temperatures without aggressive tendencies
Peaceful algae-eater that occupies bottom zone and has similar water quality needs
Peaceful invertebrate that shares similar water parameters and won't prey on adult minnows
Algae-eating snail that won't compete for food and helps maintain water quality
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 26-28°C over 48 hours, perform daily 25% water changes, and treat with ich medication or salt (1 teaspoon per gallon) for 10-14 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, fin loss in severe cases
Perform 50% water change immediately, improve water quality through increased filtration and reduced bioload, and treat with antibacterial medication if condition worsens
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)
White or grayish film on body, mouth rot, rapid gill movement, lethargy and loss of appetite
Isolate affected fish, perform daily water changes, increase aeration, and treat with antibacterial medication; maintain pristine water conditions as this is stress-related
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, clamped fins, weight loss despite feeding
Quarantine affected fish, treat with anti-parasitic medication, and perform frequent water changes; improve tank hygiene and reduce stocking density
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Kept by 1 hobbyistCommunity tanks featuring White Cloud Mountain Minnow.
Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – flake, micro pellets, daphnia, bloodworms
- lifespan
- 5–7 years
- max size
- 4 cm (1.6 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- school size
- 6+
- temperament
- Peaceful, schooling
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 5–19 dGH
- temperature
- 59–72°F (15–22°C)