White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Tanichthys albonubes

Also known as: White cloud, Poor man's neon, Cardinal minnow

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 14–22°C
• pH: 6–8.5
• Hardness: 90–357 ppm

Care Summary

A small, peaceful, brilliantly-coloured cool-water schooling fish often described as the cold-water equivalent of the neon tetra. Originally near-extinct in the wild but thriving in captivity through extensive captive breeding. Genuinely hardy and forgiving of beginner mistakes, with vivid red, gold, and blue colouration that intensifies in a planted, well-lit, cool tank. Schools loosely in the middle of the water column. An excellent first fish for keepers without heaters or for unheated indoor aquariums in cooler Australian climates.

Tankmates

A genuinely cold-water community fish, suited to unheated tanks at room temperature. Will tolerate warmer temperatures for short periods but shortens lifespan and reduces colour in tropical conditions. Best kept with other cool-water species — fancy goldfish are too large and produce too much waste; small loaches, danios, and cherry shrimp are excellent matches. Avoid mixing with any tropical species requiring above 24°C.

Compatible with

• Zebra Danio
• Bronze Corydoras
• Cherry Shrimp
• Amano Shrimp
• Otocinclus
• Nerite Snail

Avoid keeping with

• Tropical Warm Water Species
• Betta
• Discus
• Angelfish Adult

Common Problems

• loss of colour in warm tanks
• shortened lifespan above 22°C
• occasional fin nipping in cramped quarters
• ich at the upper end of their temperature range

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-06