POND FISH GUIDE
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
A small, active shoaling fish commonly kept in unheated aquaria. Suitable for beginner keepers in tanks; outdoor pond use is not endorsed without checking UK legal and biosecurity rules.
At a glance
- Maximum length
- Up to 5 cm
- Temperature range
- 17–23°C
- Suitable for small ponds
- No
- Suitable for wildlife ponds
- No
About White Cloud Mountain Minnow
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a small, active shoaling fish widely kept in aquaria and recommended as a beginner-friendly species. Adults rarely exceed about 5 cm and they prefer to be kept in groups — OATA care guidance recommends shoals of at least five, with more individuals being better for natural behaviour. They are generally peaceful and make good companions for other small, non-aggressive community species, but should not be mixed with large or aggressive fish that will bully or eat them. Aquarium husbandry parameters supported by trade care sheets: recommended temperature about 17–23 °C, pH roughly 6.5–8.0, and soft to medium hardness (approx. 4–12 °dH) with carbonate hardness about 3–10 °dKH. Maintain zero ammonia and nitrite, and keep nitrate low (guidance suggests not > ~20 mg/l above tap level). White Clouds are omnivores: they accept good-quality flake or granule foods and benefit from small live or frozen foods such as daphnia, small bloodworm or tubifex as supplements. Behaviourally they are active swimmers and appreciate open swimming space combined with plant cover and moderate water flow. Trade advice highlights a need for well-oxygenated water and a moderate current rather than stagnant, low‑oxygen conditions. Important pond and legal notes for UK owners: the approved trade and government sources consulted do not provide authoritative minimum outdoor pond volumes, depths or reliable overwintering protocols for this species in UK garden ponds. Industry bodies (OATA) and gov.uk guidance caution against introducing ornamental non-native fish into outdoor or wildlife ponds without checking the Import of Live Fish (ILFA) rules and any required licences. There is insufficient authoritative information from the cited sources to recommend releasing or placing White Cloud Mountain Minnows into wildlife ponds or to assert safe outdoor overwintering. If you are considering keeping these fish outdoors, check the gov.uk ILFA guidance and contact the Fish Health Inspectorate for definitive, species‑specific permissions and biosecurity requirements.
Diet
Omnivore; accepts quality flake/granule foods and small live/frozen items (daphnia, small bloodworm, tubifex).
Temperament
Active, shoaling, generally peaceful.
Compatibility
Compatible with other small, peaceful community species. Keep in shoals (at least five). Avoid large or aggressive tankmates that may bully or consume them. No authoritative outdoor stocking densities for ponds provided by trade sources.
Care notes
Recommended aquarium parameters: 17–23 °C; pH c. 6.5–8.0; GH ~4–12 °dH; KH ~3–10 °dKH. Maintain ammonia and nitrite at zero; keep nitrate low (guidance suggests not > ~20 mg/l above tap level). Provide open swimming space, plant cover and moderate water flow/oxygenation. Shoaling species — keep in groups (OATA recommends at least five). There is no authoritative guidance from the cited sources on minimum outdoor pond volume/depth or reliable UK overwintering protocol. Do not introduce into outdoor or wildlife ponds without checking ILFA/permitted-list status and obtaining any required licence; contact the Fish Health Inspectorate or use gov.uk guidance for legal confirmation.