A tough, peaceful shoaler that suits unheated or cool tanks. Ideal for beginners who would rather not run a heater.
- Temperature16–24 °C
- pH6–8
- Minimum tank50 L
- DifficultyBeginner
| Food | Micro-pellet/flake |
|---|---|
| Feeding | Once or twice a day |
| Water change | 25% weekly |
Behaviour and habits
The white cloud mountain minnow is a peaceful, hardy shoaler with a bright red-and-white flash on the tail, and it is one of the very few aquarium fish that genuinely thrives in unheated or cool water. It is lively but never nippy, staying active in a group and displaying best in a planted tank with some current. It is an ideal coldwater community fish, and its red colour deepens with a varied diet and cool, clean water.
What to feed, and how often
Micro-pellet, flake and small frozen foods such as daphnia; feed once or twice a day. It is unfussy and easy to feed, and a varied diet keeps the red flash bright and the fish active.
Water changes and maintenance
Change about 25% weekly, matched closely. It tolerates a wide range, including cool water down to around 16 °C, but dislikes sudden swings in temperature or chemistry.
Care and how easy it is
One of the hardiest and best fish for a cool or unheated tank; keep a group and give it plants and some flow.
Lifespan
With good conditions and steady water quality, this species typically lives around 5–7 years in a home aquarium; some individuals live longer.
Common health problems
Very robust; rarely ill unless the water quality is poor.
If it gets sick
Keep the water clean and cool, and treat any rare fin or fungal issue by improving conditions.
Good tank mates
- 18–26°C
- pH 6.5–8
- 60 L+
- 20–26°C
- pH 6–7.8
- 60 L+
- 24-26 C
- pH 6.5-7.5
- 40 L+; 45 x 30 cm base
- 22-26 C
- pH 7.0-8.5
- 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
- 20–26°C
- pH 7–8.2
- 50 L+
Best avoided with
Similar species
- 22–27°C
- pH 6–7.5
- 60 L+
- 18–26°C
- pH 6.5–8
- 60 L+
- 24–28°C
- pH 5.5–7
- 30 L+
- 20–24°C
- pH 6.5–7.5
- 30 L+
- 22–27°C
- pH 6–7.5
- 50 L+
Compare at a glance
| Parameters | White cloud mountain minnow | Harlequin rasbora | Zebra danio | Chili rasbora |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameters | ||||
| Temp | 16–24 °C | 22–27 °C | 18–26 °C | 24–28 °C |
| pH | 6–8 | 6–7.5 | 6.5–8 | 5.5–7 |
| GH | 4–18 °dGH | 2–12 °dGH | 4–20 °dGH | 1–8 °dGH |
| Min. tank | 50 L | 60 L | 60 L | 30 L |
| Size | 4 cm | 5 cm | 5 cm | 2 cm |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore | Omnivore | Carnivore |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner | Intermediate |
Care guides
New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.
Sources and research notes
Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.