How big does White Cloud Mountain Minnow get?

White Cloud Mountain Minnow reaches an adult standard length of 2.5–3.5 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?

16–24 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–12 dGH. At 8 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

What is the smallest tank for White Cloud Mountain Minnow?

At least 30 L, and no shorter than 40 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.

What is White Cloud Mountain Minnow like to keep?

Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the top and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".

Can White Cloud Mountain Minnow be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Can be kept together". White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Goldfish is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".

G-01 / 19Freshwater

White Cloud Mountain Minnow白云金丝

Tanichthys albonubes · Cyprinidae

A native Chinese cool-water minnow that needs no heater at 16-24 °C.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 19 · White Cloud Mountain Minnow Tanichthys albonubes

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 白云金丝
Scientific name: Tanichthys albonubes
Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: Streams of southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi)
Adult size: 2.5–3.5 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Water level: Top
Level: Beginner
School size: ≥ 6
Min. tank: 30 L
Min. length: 40 cm
Plant safe: Leaves plants alone

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.16–24 °C

pH6–7.5

Hardness2–12 dGH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Happiest at 16-24 °C and can go all year unheated, one of the few truly cool-water small fish.
2A rare cool-water match with goldfish, though adult goldfish may still eat the fry.
3Keep six or more; the gold line and red tail show best over a dark background among plants.
4Adapts to neutral to slightly alkaline tap water and suits unheated nano tanks.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for White Cloud Mountain Minnow against this one — no need to pick it again.

Recorded as compatibleGoldfishCarassius auratus→

Frequently asked questions

How big does White Cloud Mountain Minnow get?: White Cloud Mountain Minnow reaches an adult standard length of 2.5–3.5 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?: 16–24 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–12 dGH. At 8 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
What is the smallest tank for White Cloud Mountain Minnow?: At least 30 L, and no shorter than 40 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.
What is White Cloud Mountain Minnow like to keep?: Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the top and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".
Can White Cloud Mountain Minnow be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Can be kept together". White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Goldfish is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".