About White Cloud Mountain Minnow

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is one of the hardiest and most underrated aquarium fish. Native to China (though now extinct in their original habitat), these small fish tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can live without a heater. They feature an attractive red tail and a brilliant white stripe along their side. Perfect for beginners, unheated tanks, and outdoor ponds in appropriate climates. They are peaceful, active schooling fish that should be kept in groups of 6 or more.

Care Guide

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

White Clouds are perfect for unheated tanks and small setups.

Essential Setup:

  • 10+ gallons minimum
  • Plants for security
  • Open swimming space
  • No heater required (can live at room temperature)
  • Gentle filtration

Water Quality

  • Temperature: 64-72°F (18-22°C) - can go lower
  • pH: 6.5-8.0
  • Water Hardness: Soft to moderate (3-15 dGH)
  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: <20 ppm

Can live in unheated tanks and even outdoor ponds in temperate climates.

Feeding

Omnivores accepting small foods:

  • Micro flakes or crushed flakes
  • Frozen cyclops
  • Small live foods
  • They eat small insects in nature

Behavior & Compatibility

Peaceful and hardy:

  • Schooling: Keep 6+ minimum, 10+ ideal
  • Peaceful: Perfect community nano fish
  • Active: Constant swimmers
  • Hardy: Excellent for beginners

Good Tank Mates:

  • Goldfish (excellent coldwater companion)
  • Dojo Loach
  • Zebra Danios
  • Other coldwater fish

Avoid:

  • Tropical fish requiring heat
  • Warm water species

Varieties

  • Standard: Silver with red tail and white stripe
  • Golden: Yellow/gold coloration
  • Meteor: Long-finned variant

Breeding

Very easy to breed:

  • Scatter eggs: In plants
  • No parental care: Eggs and fry on their own
  • Spawning mops: Can be used
  • Fry food: Infusoria, micro worms

Outdoor Ponds

Excellent for ponds in appropriate climates:

  • Summer: Can live in outdoor ponds
  • Winter: Survive in ponds that don’t freeze solid
  • Breeding: Will spawn in pond plants

Conservation Note

  • Extinct in wild: Original mountain habitat destroyed
  • Survive in captivity: Aquarium populations only
  • Important: Maintain captive populations

Tips for Success

  • No heater needed
  • Perfect for beginners
  • Keep in schools of 6+
  • Can live with goldfish
  • Outdoor pond possible
  • Very hardy and adaptable

Compatible Tank Mates

🐠 Other Coldwater Fish
🐠 Goldfish 🐠 Dojo Loach
🐠 Zebra Danios