Gold White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) – 2–3cm Sizes

Gold White Cloud Mountain Minnow is the golden domestic colour form of Tanichthys albonubes. It is a small, peaceful shoaling fish that prefers cooler, oxygen-rich freshwater than many conventional tropical community species. The current Shopify options are approximately 2–3 cm; the selected size is the dispatch grade, not the adult size.

FishBase describes the species from clean, sluggish streams among aquatic vegetation and notes that it can tolerate very cool water. For home aquariums, the useful lesson is simple: keep it cool, clean and well oxygenated rather than permanently warm.

What aquarium setup works best?

Use a mature aquarium with a secure lid, gentle-to-moderate filtration and plenty of open swimming space. Plants around the sides and back provide refuge while leaving a clear midwater lane. Dark substrate and green planting also make the gold body colour easier to see.

These fish do not need tropical heat. In many UK homes an unheated indoor aquarium may work if the room remains stable within the intended range. Always measure the actual aquarium temperature rather than assuming room temperature is suitable.

How many should I keep?

White Clouds are social fish. Keep at least six, with eight to ten or more preferable where the aquarium and filter can support the group. A proper shoal is generally more confident, more visible and more natural than one or two isolated fish.

What should I feed them?

Use a fine complete flake or micro-granule as the prepared staple. Rotate small frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp. Feed modest portions once or twice daily and remove persistent leftovers.

Which tank mates are suitable?

Choose peaceful species that genuinely overlap with the cooler temperature range. Avoid building a community around warmer fish and then keeping White Clouds permanently at the upper edge of their tolerance. Large predators and aggressive fish are unsuitable.

Frequently asked questions

Are Gold White Clouds tropical fish?

They are aquarium fish from a subtropical/cool-water lineage and generally prefer cooler conditions than guppies, gouramis or many tropical tetras.

Do they need a heater?

Not necessarily. A heater is only needed if the room cannot keep the aquarium safely and steadily within the intended range.

Can I keep them outside?

Seasonal outdoor keeping can be possible in suitable climates, but this listing is for aquarium livestock and does not recommend year-round UK outdoor keeping. Temperature and predator risk must be controlled.

Will they eat shrimp?

Adult shrimp may coexist in a planted aquarium, but tiny shrimplets and fry can be eaten. No complete shrimp-safe guarantee applies.

What does one quantity buy?

One quantity buys one fish in the selected live size grade. Build the required shoal by increasing the quantity.