What tank size does a White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?

A White Cloud Mountain Minnow needs an aquarium of at least 40 litres (10.6 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?

White Cloud Mountain Minnow does best at 5–24 °C (41–75.2 °F), pH 6–8 and a general hardness of 5–19 °dGH.

What group size does a White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?

White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a social species — keep a group of at least 8 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.

Is the White Cloud Mountain Minnow suitable for beginners?

Yes — White Cloud Mountain Minnow is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Species library

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Tanichthys albonubes

Cyprinidae

FishDifficulty: ●○○○○Data: well-established

📷 Petrtyl · CC BY 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

White Cloud Mountain Minnow — Tanichthys albonubes — 📷 Petrtyl · CC BY 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a hardy, colourful cyprinid originally from cool, fast-flowing streams around Guangzhou in southern China. Reaching only about 4 cm, it wears a bright lateral stripe and red-tipped fins that intensify when males display to one another. Because it hails from subtropical mountain waters it thrives at room temperature and is one of the very few community fish that can be kept unheated, making it an outstanding first shoaling species.

Care

Keep a shoal of 8+ in an unheated, gently flowing planted tank; cool water actually deepens their colour.

Diet

Micro-omnivore that readily accepts quality flake and micro-pellets; enrich with baby brine shrimp, daphnia and microworm for peak colour.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Full tank-mates guide with reasons →

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Belly depthA hint only · only on well-fed adults, and only as a comparison
For most tetras, barbs and rasboras this is all there is: a conditioned female is deeper through the belly than a male of the same length.

All the methods, with diagrams

Also in these lists

Nano fish Fish for a 54 litre tank Shrimp-safe fish Fish for a first aquarium

Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?: A White Cloud Mountain Minnow needs an aquarium of at least 40 litres (10.6 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?: White Cloud Mountain Minnow does best at 5–24 °C (41–75.2 °F), pH 6–8 and a general hardness of 5–19 °dGH.
What group size does a White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?: White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a social species — keep a group of at least 8 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
Is the White Cloud Mountain Minnow suitable for beginners?: Yes — White Cloud Mountain Minnow is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature5–24°C

Optimal temp.16–22°C

pH6–8

Hardness (GH)5–19°d

Carbonate (KH)3–12°d

Adult size4 cm

Min. volume≥ 40 L

Min. tank length≥ 60 cm

Group size≥ 8

Swimming zoneAll levels

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowModerate

Lifespan~4 yrs

Try in the calculator