Easy-to-moderate
Glowlight Rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli)
23–28°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
£3.99
Peaceful normal-form White Cloud Mountain Minnows in three live size bands, for a mature cool-water aquarium with a proper social group and open swimming space.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
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Peaceful normal-form White Cloud Mountain Minnows in three live size bands, for a mature cool-water aquarium with a proper social group and open swimming space.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
23–28°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
15–22°C · pH 6–8 · 40L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
White Cloud Mountain Minnows (Tanichthys albonubes) are small, peaceful shoaling fish for cool, well-oxygenated freshwater aquariums. Their slim bronze-silver bodies carry a bright horizontal stripe, while red, orange and pale fin markings become more noticeable when the fish are settled in a proper group. They are active without being aggressive, straightforward to feed and especially attractive against green plants and a darker substrate.
This is a useful species for aquarists who want movement and colour without maintaining a hot tropical aquarium. A stable target of 17-23°C suits them better than prolonged high tropical temperatures. They still require a fully cycled filter, clean water, sensible stocking and enough horizontal swimming room; “hardy” should never be read as “maintenance-free”.
Each selected quantity supplies one live, unsexed fish in the size option you choose. This is not a pre-made pack. White Clouds are social fish, so select at least six individuals for a new group unless you are adding carefully matched fish to an established shoal. Eight to twelve usually creates a more confident display where aquarium space and filtration allow.
| Scientific name | Tanichthys albonubes Lin, 1932 |
|---|---|
| Family | Tanichthyidae |
| Adult size | Usually about 3-4 cm; FishBase records 4 cm maximum total length |
| Care level | Beginner, provided the aquarium is mature and stable |
| Temperament | Peaceful, active shoaling fish |
| Group | Six minimum on this page; eight to twelve preferred when space permits |
| Starting aquarium | 60 litres and 60 cm frontage for six; 75 litres or more preferred for a larger group |
| Temperature | 17-23°C practical long-term target |
| pH | 6.5-8.0 practical target |
| General hardness | About 5-12 dGH as a practical shared range; acclimate to the source water |
| Diet | Omnivore taking fine dry, frozen and live foods |
| Swimming area | Middle and upper water, with regular use of open lanes |
| Typical lifespan | Often around 3-5 years with appropriate long-term care |
Three live size bands may be available from the selector on this page. These are approximate dispatch sizes rather than promises of exact length, age, sex or maturity. Live fish naturally vary a little within any stated band.
| Size choice | Useful when | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5-2 cm | You want a younger group to grow on together | Use very fine food, gentle intakes and tank mates unable to outcompete or swallow them |
| 2.5-3 cm | You want a more established juvenile with easier visibility | Still small enough to need calm feeders and size-safe companions |
| Over 3 cm | You prefer the largest listed band and more developed markings | This remains a small species and is not safe with large or predatory fish |
For the most even shoal, choose one size band for the whole new group. If you are adding to fish already at home, compare body size as well as species name. A substantial size difference can affect feeding access and confidence even in a peaceful species.
The normal form has a narrow, streamlined body rather than the deep body of many tetras. A reflective cream, silver or green-gold line runs along the flank and can look almost luminous as the fish changes angle. The darker stripe below it gives contrast, while the caudal fin usually carries a dark base spot and red or orange colour. The dorsal and anal fins may show red, yellow, white or dark edging.
Colour is influenced by age, sex, lighting, diet, background and settling time. A newly arrived fish may look paler than a settled adult shown in a mature planted aquarium. Strong colour should come from good care and social confidence, not from forcing the fish under harsh lighting. The exact pattern and intensity of every live individual will vary.
Mature males are commonly slimmer and may show stronger fin colour and more display behaviour. Females are often fuller through the abdomen, particularly when carrying eggs. Sex is not guaranteed with any option on this page, and juveniles may not yet show dependable external differences.
Tanichthys albonubes is an East Asian freshwater fish named after the White Cloud Mountain area associated with its discovery. Published records connect it with China and Vietnam, while the history and condition of wild populations are more complicated than the abundance of captive-bred fish in shops might suggest. A captive aquarium strain should not be presented as proof of a particular wild locality.
FishBase currently places the species in the family Tanichthyidae. Older aquarium books and websites often use the much broader family Cyprinidae, so both names may appear during research. The newer placement does not change practical care, but using the accepted species name helps prevent confusion with true danios, similarly named minnows and domestic White Cloud colour or fin forms.
Habitat accounts describe clean, relatively slow or gently moving water with aquatic vegetation. Small zooplankton, fine animal material and detritus contribute to the natural diet. In the aquarium, the useful lesson is not to build a literal wild replica at any cost. It is to provide clean oxygenated water, modest flow, planted shelter and open swimming routes while avoiding prolonged heat.
A 60-litre aquarium with at least 60 cm of frontage is a responsible starting point for six. The length matters because these fish spend much of the day moving through the middle and upper water. For eight to twelve, start around 75 litres and favour a longer footprint over extra height. Larger aquariums also change temperature and water chemistry more slowly, which is helpful for beginners.
Very small containers can hold water, but they leave little margin for a filter problem, missed maintenance or a warm afternoon. They also restrict the swimming pattern that makes this species appealing. Do not use a “litres per fish” formula alone: group behaviour, adult size, filtration, surface area, tank length and other residents all influence capacity.
| Group plan | Starting point | What to prioritise |
|---|---|---|
| Six White Clouds | 60 litres, 60 cm frontage | Open midwater, planted edges and stable filtration |
| Eight to twelve | 75 litres or more, with additional length preferred | More swimming room, feeding access and biological capacity |
| Mixed community | Increase space according to every species | Shared temperature, peaceful behaviour and realistic adult sizes |
A practical long-term target is 17-23°C, pH 6.5-8.0 and around 5-12 dGH. OATA's UK care guidance and FishBase overlap around this cool, adaptable range. The trade care record is broader at the upper end, but an acclimated fish does not benefit from repeated swings between limits. Stable, clean water within a suitable shared range is more important than chasing a single “perfect” reading.
| Measure | Working target | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 17-23°C | Avoids treating a cool-water fish as a permanently hot tropical species |
| pH | 6.5-8.0 | Covers the practical overlap in established care guidance |
| General hardness | About 5-12 dGH | Supports a broad range of UK source waters without claiming every extreme is ideal |
| Ammonia | 0 mg/L | Any detectable level needs investigation |
| Nitrite | 0 mg/L | Any detectable level is unsafe |
| Nitrate | Keep controlled and stable | OATA advises no more than 20 mg/L above the tap-water baseline |
Test the aquarium and the replacement water rather than assuming your postcode predicts every value. Our Water Parameter Matcher can help compare broad requirements, but it does not replace a liquid test kit, observation or gradual acclimation. If your tap water sits near an acceptable edge and is stable, sudden chemical adjustment may be riskier than consistency.
Many UK homes can maintain a suitable indoor aquarium without routine heating, but the answer depends on the measured water temperature, not the label “unheated”. Check the tank through the coldest night and warmest part of the day. A reliable low-set heater can prevent winter dips or reduce daily fluctuation in a cold room. In a warm room, cooling and ventilation may matter more.
They are not an excuse to ignore temperature. Avoid positioning the aquarium beside a radiator, sunny window, cold exterior door or appliance that creates sharp changes. Prolonged temperatures above the practical range can increase metabolic demand and reduce dissolved oxygen. Extremely cold survival claims found online should not be used as a routine husbandry target.
Use a mature filter sized for the aquarium and stocking level. Sponge filters, guarded internal filters and modest external filters can all work when the flow is distributed rather than concentrated into a harsh jet. These fish appreciate movement and oxygen, but small juveniles should not be pinned against an intake or forced to swim continuously.
Cycle the aquarium before livestock is added. A calendar alone cannot prove that a filter is ready; test for ammonia and nitrite processing and continue monitoring after stocking. Add the planned group without overloading a newly matured system, feed lightly at first and keep a record of results. Surface movement helps gas exchange, but vigorous bubbling does not compensate for accumulated waste.
Carry out regular partial water changes using dechlorinated water reasonably matched for temperature and chemistry. Clean filter media in removed aquarium water when practical, and never replace all established biological media at once without a managed reason. Remove trapped food and decaying plant material while leaving the aquarium's stable biological community intact.
A dark fine gravel or sand can make the reflective stripe easier to see, but the substrate must be chosen for the whole aquarium rather than colour alone. Use plant groups, rounded wood or smooth stones around the back and sides, then retain a clear horizontal route through the middle. Floating plants can soften bright light, provided they do not seal the entire surface.
Fine-leaved plants and moss offer shelter and may catch eggs during spawning. Robust choices can include Java moss, hornwort, water sprite and other species suited to the aquarium's temperature and light. Verify each plant separately: a fish and a plant described as “easy” do not automatically share the same environmental range.
Fit a lid or close-fitting cover. White Clouds are active and can jump when startled, during chasing or around feeding time. Close cable and filter gaps without blocking essential ventilation. Keep the tank away from aerosols, household chemicals and areas where sudden impact or vibration is likely.
This is a shoaling species, not a solitary centrepiece fish. Six is the minimum recommended on this listing, while eight to twelve generally gives better social choice and a more convincing display. In a suitable group, the fish spread through open water, regroup when startled and show brief chases or displays without one individual carrying all the social pressure.
Males may posture, flare fins and spar lightly, especially when mature and well conditioned. Plant cover and swimming length allow a fish to move out of a display. Persistent pursuit, clamped fins, isolation or inability to feed is not normal merely because the species is peaceful. Check group size, sex balance where visible, layout, temperature, water quality and tank-mate behaviour.
Do not solve nervous behaviour by adding unrelated fish at random. First make sure the White Cloud group itself is large enough, the aquarium has cover and the water is stable. A confident single-species shoal is often more attractive and easier to manage than a crowded mixture assembled for variety.
Use a high-quality fine flake or micro granule as a dependable base, then rotate appropriately sized frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp. Small insect-based foods can also suit their natural feeding style. Crush food for the smallest size option and watch that every fish gets access.
| Food type | Role | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Fine complete flake | Balanced staple | Crush to a size every fish can swallow |
| Micro granules | Measured dry alternative | Choose a slowly sinking size for upper and midwater feeding |
| Daphnia or cyclops | Variety and natural picking response | Offer a small thawed or live portion from a safe source |
| Baby brine shrimp | Conditioning food and fry grow-on option | Use as part of a varied menu, not the only food |
| Oversized bloodworm or pellets | Usually unsuitable as offered | Do not make fish struggle with food larger than the mouth |
Feed small portions once or twice daily, adjusting for temperature, age, body condition and the rest of the community. The useful test is not a rigid number of seconds: all fish should eat without a cloud of surplus food reaching the substrate. Rotate foods instead of relying on one treat, and reduce the portion if uneaten material accumulates.
White Clouds are not specialist algae eaters, snail control or a substitute for aquarium maintenance. They may take tiny shrimplets or other bite-sized life, as many small omnivorous fish will. Feed the fish for health rather than assigning them a cleaning job.
Compatibility begins with another group member of the same species. For a mixed aquarium, choose small, peaceful fish that share the practical temperature and water range. Adult size, mouth size, feeding speed and swimming style matter as much as a “community fish” label.
| Candidate | Assessment | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| More normal-form White Clouds | Best first choice | Strengthens the existing social group when size and health are matched |
| Gold White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Potentially suitable | Domestic colour form with closely related care; plan the total social group and size match |
| Long-fin White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Use care | Similar core needs, but flowing fins may be more vulnerable in boisterous communities |
| Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow | Compare first | Related small fish, but verify its own temperature, water and group requirements before mixing |
| Cool-tolerant peaceful bottom fish | Possible in more space | Use only when the exact species shares the temperature range and has enough floor area |
| Adult shrimp | Often possible with cover | Very small offspring may be eaten; compatibility is not a breeding guarantee |
| Large fish, predators or persistent fin nippers | Avoid | Risk of swallowing, injury, stress or blocked feeding |
| Fish needing sustained 25-28°C water | Avoid long term | A peaceful temperament does not solve a temperature mismatch |
Celestial Pearl Danio is a useful small-fish comparison, but it is a different species with its own care profile. Do not combine fish simply because search results call both “nano” or show them in planted aquariums. Compare the exact requirements and plan around the least flexible resident.
Goldfish are not automatic companions. Larger goldfish may swallow a White Cloud, and feeding, waste output, swimming power and long-term housing can differ greatly. Any proposed pairing must be judged around the actual goldfish variety, current and adult size, aquarium volume, temperature and ability of the smaller fish to feed safely.
White Clouds are egg scatterers and may spawn in a mature planted aquarium. Males display and follow females through fine plants or spawning material, where small eggs are released. Adults provide no parental care and may eat eggs or fry, so casual spawning in a community tank rarely produces the highest survival.
For a managed project, use a mature separate aquarium with gentle guarded filtration, stable water, moss or spawning mops and a plan for the adults after spawning. Some breeders use mesh or marbles to place eggs out of reach. Avoid abrupt parameter manipulation: healthy conditioning, clean water and a suitable light cycle are more responsible than chasing an exact trigger from a single anecdote.
Newly free-swimming fry require food small enough to see and swallow, such as established microscopic foods, followed by baby brine shrimp and fine prepared fry foods as they grow. Maintain water quality with careful small changes and protect fry from filter intakes. Before breeding, make sure you have grow-out capacity and appropriate homes for the resulting fish.
A healthy settled group is alert, responsive and willing to feed, with open fins and smooth coordinated movement. The body should look even rather than pinched, swollen or bent. Colour alone is not a diagnosis; fish can pale temporarily after transport, during social stress or under different lighting.
| Observe | Expected after settling | Investigate |
|---|---|---|
| Swimming | Loose group movement through middle and upper water | Gasping, loss of balance, prolonged bottom sitting or repeated isolation |
| Fins | Open fins with normal display and brief chasing | Persistent clamping, erosion, spots, coating or continuous harassment |
| Body | Even slim profile with clear eyes and scales | Pinched abdomen, abnormal swelling, wounds, curvature or cloudy patches |
| Feeding | Prompt interest in suitably small foods | Repeated refusal, spitting, inability to compete or food too large to swallow |
| Breathing | Steady gill movement appropriate to activity | Rapid breathing, surface distress or one-sided gill movement |
Test water first when behaviour changes. Ammonia, nitrite, excess heat, low oxygen, an abrupt water change or aggression can imitate or worsen disease. Do not add medication to the display aquarium “just in case”. Identify the likely cause, read the full product directions, account for invertebrates and filtration, and seek an aquatic-experienced vet when signs are severe, persistent or unclear.
A separate observation or quarantine system can reduce the chance of introducing pathogens, but it must be cycled, temperature-appropriate and monitored like any other aquarium. A bare uncycled container creates its own risk. Use separate equipment where practical and never share wet nets or tools carelessly between systems.
Prepare the aquarium before dispatch: confirm the cycle, test water, stabilise temperature, secure the lid and make sure the selected tank mates are appropriate. Read our current live-fish delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee terms before ordering, including the evidence and contact window required if a problem occurs.
Transport colour is not the final display colour. Give the group quiet cover and stable water rather than repeatedly approaching the glass. If a fish arrives with a concern, preserve the required evidence and contact us within the current guarantee window before taking steps that could obscure the original condition.
This listing is for aquarium livestock, not an all-season UK pond fish. Some experienced keepers use protected seasonal tubs during suitable weather, but local temperature, night-time lows, heat spikes, predators, water quality and secure containment all need active management. A fish surviving a cool period does not prove that an exposed pond is a responsible permanent home.
Never release aquarium fish, eggs, plants, water or animals into a pond, stream, drain or other natural waterway. If you can no longer keep them, contact a responsible aquatic retailer, rescue or experienced keeper. Outdoor systems must prevent escape during flooding, maintenance and wildlife access.
Yes, when “beginner” means someone prepared to cycle, test and maintain an aquarium. They accept common small foods, tolerate a useful range of established water and do not require a hot tank. Their main non-negotiable needs are a real social group, enough swimming length, zero ammonia and nitrite, controlled waste, stable cool conditions and compatible tank mates.
They are a poor shortcut for an unfiltered bowl or an aquarium bought and stocked on the same day. A larger mature setup is easier to keep stable than a tiny container. New keepers will learn more from monitoring one healthy, appropriately sized shoal than from overstocking many unrelated species.
The first six gallery items are existing source photographs showing normal-form fish from different angles, lighting and life stages. They demonstrate the lateral stripe, red fin colour, slimmer and fuller body shapes, and how appearance changes against leaf litter or plants. One older source photograph retains its original embedded photographer mark and remains preserved as part of the existing gallery.
The final four gallery items are labelled aquarium references. They help illustrate possible planted layouts and viewing angles, but they do not show the exact individual fish dispatched and should not be used to promise a precise colour pattern. Use the source photographs, written size selector and live condition on arrival together when making your decision.
If you like this species but want a different appearance, compare the gold colour form and the long-fin form. These are not interchangeable labels: choose the product whose live identity and gallery match the fish you intend to order. Browse the wider minnow collection or freshwater fish range only after comparing adult size, temperature and temperament.
Our detailed White Cloud Mountain Minnow guide provides a second planning route for the species. Product availability, sizes and prices should always be read from the live selector on this page rather than copied from an old article or comparison table.
This care profile reconciles the current live product with recognised fish and UK ornamental-aquatic guidance. FishBase supports the accepted identity, size, water range, group behaviour and natural-history context. OATA supplies UK-focused aquarium targets and water-quality guidance. Practical Fishkeeping provides additional habitat-led setup context.
Care ranges are planning guidance, not a guarantee that every possible fish or plant sharing one number is compatible. Observe the animals in front of you and respond to tested water, behaviour and body condition.
Select at least six for a new group. Eight to twelve often produces a more confident and natural display when the aquarium has enough length, volume and filtration. Each quantity on this page is one fish, so set the quantity to the total number required.
No. One selected quantity supplies one live, unsexed fish in the chosen size band. Trade packing counts are not customer quantities and do not define what arrives in an order.
Start with about 60 litres and at least 60 cm of frontage for six. More room is appropriate for a larger group or mixed community. Tank length and swimming space matter alongside water volume.
Not always. Many indoor UK aquariums remain within 17-23°C without constant heating, but you must measure the water through daily and seasonal changes. A low-set heater may be useful in a cold or unstable room.
Only when every species shares a suitable temperature and the tank is not kept permanently too warm for White Clouds. Peaceful behaviour alone does not make a 25-28°C community a good long-term match.
Offer fine complete flake or micro granules, with small frozen or live daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp for variety. Food must fit the mouth, particularly for the smallest size option.
Adults are often kept with larger shrimp in planted aquariums, but tiny shrimplets may be eaten. No small omnivorous fish should be treated as completely safe with newly hatched shrimp.
They are better described as cool-water or temperate aquarium fish. A practical long-term range is 17-23°C. They are not an invitation to use icy, unmonitored or rapidly changing water.
No. This is a social shoaling species. A lone fish cannot express normal group behaviour and may remain nervous or pale. Build an appropriate group before adding unrelated species.
Adults are usually around 3-4 cm, and FishBase records a maximum published total length of 4 cm. Dispatch sizes on this page are approximate live bands, not final-size guarantees.
Around three to five years is a reasonable aquarium expectation under good care, although no lifespan is guaranteed. Stable temperature, water quality, diet, group size and genetics all influence longevity.
They can, especially when startled or during active chasing. Use a close-fitting lid and secure filter, cable and feeding gaps while maintaining appropriate ventilation.
Mature males are often slimmer and more colourful, while females may be fuller through the abdomen. Sex is not guaranteed on this listing and young fish may be difficult to identify reliably.
They are among the more approachable egg-scattering fish, but raising fry still requires suitable spawning cover, microscopic first foods, guarded filtration, clean water and enough grow-out space.
The forms share closely related core care, but check size, fin condition, group structure and the needs of each live product. Long fins can be more vulnerable in a busy aquarium, and the total group still needs adequate space.
Do not assume so. Large goldfish may swallow them, while waste output, feeding speed, adult size and housing requirements can conflict. Assess the exact goldfish variety and aquarium rather than relying on a simple yes-or-no label.
Transport, unfamiliar surroundings and lighting can temporarily reduce colour. Keep lights subdued, provide cover and stable water, then observe breathing, balance and feeding. Follow the current guarantee process immediately if there is a genuine arrival concern.
Ammonia and nitrite must be zero. Keep nitrate controlled, temperature stable and pH within an acclimated suitable range. Test the source water as well as the aquarium before making adjustments.
This product is intended for a secure aquarium, not as an all-season pond fish. Seasonal outdoor systems require experienced temperature, predator, water-quality and escape control. Never release aquarium livestock into natural water.
No livestock gallery can show the exact individual allocated to a future order. The first six items are existing source photographs of the normal form; the final four are explicitly labelled aquarium references. Live colour and markings vary.
Eligible livestock orders are covered by our current Live Arrival Guarantee. Active code WELCOME10 currently provides 10% off where checkout eligibility and the current promotion terms allow.
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Excellent service the fish arrived as promised and all in good health. I will certainly use this company again.
