White Cloud Mountain minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
beginner careOverview
The White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a hardy, cool-water shoaling fish once called “the poor man’s neon tetra” for its red-and-silver sparkle at a fraction of the fuss. Its standout feature is temperature: it thrives in unheated, room-temperature tanks, making it one of the best fish for a simple setup without a heater. Peaceful, active and forgiving, it is an ideal beginner shoaler.
Tank & water
A shoal is comfortable in 40 litres (10 gallons) or more. They are active swimmers that appreciate open space and planted cover.
- Temperature: 16–22 °C — a cool-water fish that usually needs no heater in a normal room. Avoid keeping them warm for long periods.
- Water: very adaptable, pH 6.0–8.0; stable, dechlorinated water is what matters.
- Filtration: a standard filter suits them; they cope with gentle flow.
- Planted: plants and a darker background bring out their colours.
Feeding
White Clouds are easy omnivores. A quality micro-flake or small pellet is the staple, with frozen and live treats — daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, bloodworm — for colour and condition. They feed happily in open water near the top and middle. Small amounts once or twice a day are plenty.
Tankmates
Because they prefer cooler water, choose tankmates that share it. They mix well with other subtropical species and cool-tolerant fish such as zebra danios, medaka ricefish, pygmy corydoras and dwarf shrimp. Avoid warm-water-only species, and any fish large enough to eat them.
Hardy, cheap and heater-free, the White Cloud Mountain minnow is a brilliant fish for a simple, cycled beginner tank — browse our beginner aquarium picks.
White Cloud Mountain minnow — frequently asked questions
Do White Cloud Mountain minnows need a heater?
No — this is one of the few popular aquarium fish that thrives without one. They are a cool-water species happiest at 16–22 °C, so in most rooms they do well in an unheated tank. Avoid keeping them warm long term, as high temperatures shorten their lives.
How many White Clouds should I keep together?
At least six, and more is better. They are a peaceful shoaling species that colours up and displays best in a group, with males flaring at each other harmlessly. Kept singly they are drab and shy.
Can White Cloud minnows live in a coldwater or unheated tank?
Yes. They suit a room-temperature or lightly cooled tank and were historically kept as a subtropical alternative to goldfish, though they need far less space. They are not, however, suited to being crammed in a bowl.
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