White Cloud Mountain Minnow Care Guide: Gold, Longfin and Outdoor Tubs
White cloud mountain minnows are one of the toughest little fish in the hobby, and one of the most underrated. They do not need a heater, they are happy in a tank or an outdoor tub, and a school of them in a planted tank is a lovely sight. I breed gold and longfin white clouds here in QLD, and this guide covers everything you need to keep them well.
What are white cloud mountain minnows?
White clouds (Tanichthys albonubes) are small schooling fish from the hills of southern China, named after White Cloud Mountain near Guangzhou. They grow to about 3 to 4cm. They have been popular in the hobby for decades because they are peaceful, colourful and very forgiving.
Males are slimmer and more colourful than females. When they are settled you will see them flare their fins at each other and show off, which is when their colour is at its best.
White cloud varieties
There are a few varieties to choose from, and they all share the same easy care.
Gold white cloud
A warm gold body with red fin accents. Gold white clouds really glow against green plants and dark substrate. Shop gold white clouds
Longfin white cloud
Longer, flowing fins that give them a graceful look as they school. Just as hardy as the standard form. Keep them away from fin nippers so those fins stay looking their best. Shop longfin white clouds
Standard white cloud
The original form, with a bronze-green body, a shiny stripe along the side and red and white fins. Simple, but a school of them in good light is beautiful.
Vietnam lemon white cloud
Tanichthys kuehnei is a close relative with a lemon-yellow body and a dark stripe. It is a different species, so keep it separate if you want to breed either one pure.
Tank setup
- Tank size: 40 litres or more for a school. They are active swimmers and like room to move.
- Group size: At least 6, and 10 or more is even better. A bigger group means more confident fish and better colour.
- Temperature: 14 to 24 degrees Celsius is ideal. They handle cooler water well and do not need a heater in most Australian homes. Long periods above about 26 degrees will stress them, so keep them out of hot spots in summer.
- Filtration: A sponge filter is perfect. It gives gentle flow and is safe for fry.
- Plants: They love a planted tank. Fine-leaved plants and floaters like guppy grass give cover and a place for eggs.
- Lid: White clouds can jump, so a lid or a lower water line is a good idea.
Keeping white clouds outdoors
White clouds are one of the best fish for an outdoor tub or pond. Natural light and the little insects that land on the water bring out great colour. Use a tub of at least 40 litres so the water temperature does not swing too fast, and give them some shade over summer. Floating plants are perfect for both shade and cover.
They also share an outdoor tub well with medaka, as both like the same cooler conditions. Check out my medaka guide if you are thinking about a mixed tub.
Feeding
White clouds are not fussy. A small flake or micro pellet makes a good daily staple. Add live or frozen food like daphnia, baby brine shrimp or microworms a few times a week for the best colour and breeding condition. Feed small amounts once or twice a day.
Breeding white clouds
White clouds are one of the easiest egg layers to breed. A well-fed group in a planted tank will spawn regularly in the warmer months. They scatter eggs among fine plants or spawning mops, and the eggs hatch in a couple of days.
Unlike many fish, adult white clouds are fairly gentle on their own eggs and fry, so in a heavily planted tank you will often find babies turning up without trying. To raise more, move plants or mops with eggs into a separate container. Feed the fry paramecium or vinegar eels first, then microworms and baby brine shrimp as they grow.
Tankmates
White clouds are peaceful and suit other cool-water community fish. Good options include:
- Cherry shrimp (white clouds may eat a few baby shrimplets)
- Medaka
- Snails for algae control
- Other small, peaceful fish that like cooler water
Avoid goldfish. They grow large enough to eat white clouds and produce a lot of waste. Also avoid tropical fish that need warm water, as the two will never both be comfortable.
Why I keep white clouds
White clouds are the fish I recommend to anyone who wants something easy, colourful and a little different from the usual tropical fish. They are tough enough for a beginner, happy without a heater, and a school of males showing off to each other never gets old.
If you have any questions about white clouds, email me at elyza@handpickedaquatics.com. Happy to help.
Cheers,
Elyza
Hand Picked Aquatics
