White Cloud Mountain Minnow - Gold ~ Tanichthys albonubes

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a hardy and peaceful freshwater fish, known for its shimmering silver body and red-tipped fins, making it a popular choice among beginner and experienced aquarists alike. Native to the mountain streams of China and Vietnam, this species is tolerant of a wide range of conditions and does well in both unheated and community tanks.

- Size: 1-1.5 inches  
- Lifespan: 5-7 years  
- Temperament: Peaceful, social  
- Group/Solitary: Best kept in groups of 6+  
- Food: Omnivorous, flake food, micro-pellets, live/frozen foods (daphnia, brine shrimp)  
- Water Requirements: 64-72°F, pH 6.0-8.0, soft to moderately hard water

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are schooling fish that should be kept in groups of at least six to encourage their natural behavior and vibrant coloring. They prefer cool water and are well-suited to unheated aquariums, making them excellent companions for other cool-water species like danios. While they are hardy and adaptable, they do best in a well-planted aquarium with moderate water flow and open swimming space. A varied diet of high-quality flake food, along with occasional live or frozen treats like brine shrimp or daphnia, will keep them healthy and enhance their colors. They can be kept with peaceful tankmates but should be avoided with overly aggressive or larger species.

Originating from the White Cloud Mountains in southern China, White Cloud Mountain Minnows were once thought to be extinct in the wild but have since been rediscovered in a few remote habitats. In the wild, they inhabit cool, fast-flowing streams rich in oxygen, where they feed on small insects and plant matter.

Fun Fact: White Cloud Mountain Minnows are sometimes referred to as the "Poor Man's Neon Tetra" due to their similar iridescent coloration, making them a budget-friendly and resilient alternative for aquarists looking for colorful schooling fish.