White Cloud Minnow

Tanichthys albonubes

A cold-water minnow with a golden racing stripe and red fins. Perfect for unheated tanks and axolotl-free coldwater setups.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 4 cm, lives near the surface in groups of 5 or more and needs 14–23 °C, pH 6.5–8.0 and an aquarium of at least 30 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

14–23 °C (57–73 °F)

pH

6.5–8.0

Adult size

4 cm (1.6 in)

Aquarium

30 L or bigger (8 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

5 or more

Swims

Top

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

White Cloud Mountain, China

Good to know

• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.

Tank mates

Good company: Amano Shrimp, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Bristlenose Pleco, Corydoras, Fancy Goldfish, Ghost Shrimp, Mystery Snail, Neocaridina Shrimp, Neon Tetra.

Eaten by: Angelfish, Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Black Ghost Knifefish, Electric Blue Acara, Firemouth Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar and 1 more.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Eats the newborn fry of: Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Chili Rasbora, Crystal Red Shrimp, Ember Tetra, Endler's Livebearer, Ghost Shrimp, Glowlight Tetra, Neocaridina Shrimp, Neon Tetra, Pea Puffer.

Its fry are eaten by: Bala Shark, Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Cherry Barb, Clown Loach, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Congo Tetra, Discus and 25 more.

Grown ones eat their own newborn fry, so raise the young in another aquarium.

Colours and breeding

• Classic common
• Golden Cloud uncommon

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.3 cm long and take after one of the parents.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.