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About the Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnow

The Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnow is an elegant, selectively bred variety of the classic White Cloud Mountain Minnow, prized for its flowing fins, shimmering metallic body, and exceptional hardiness. Native to southern China, the original White Cloud Mountain Minnow has long been one of the world's most popular freshwater fish, while the Longfin variety adds graceful finnage that makes it even more eye-catching.

Their iridescent silver-green body is highlighted by a glowing golden lateral stripe, bright red fins edged in white, and striking flashes of blue under aquarium lighting. Mature males develop longer, more colourful fins and display to one another with elegant courtship dances, especially when kept in schools.

Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnows thrive in planted aquariums with open swimming areas, rocks, driftwood, and gentle to moderate water flow. They are one of the few tropical-style aquarium fish that prefer cooler water, making them an excellent choice for unheated aquariums. Their peaceful nature allows them to be housed with Danios, Hillstream Loaches, Corydoras, Rainbow Shiners, Medaka, and other cool-water community species.

A varied diet of premium micro pellets, quality flakes, frozen bloodworms, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, and other live or frozen foods will maximise their colouration and encourage breeding.

Hardy, colourful, and incredibly peaceful, the Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnow is an excellent choice for beginner aquarists, planted aquariums, and cool-water community displays.

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Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name

Tanichthys albonubes "Longfin"

Common Name

Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Origin

Captive-bred variety of a species native to southern China

Adult Size

4–5 cm

Temperament

Peaceful

Diet

Omnivore

Minimum Tank Size

60 Litres

Temperature

18–24°C

pH

6.5–8.0

Water Hardness

5–20 dGH

Difficulty

Beginner

Lifespan

5–7 Years

Suitable For

Planted aquariums, cool-water aquariums, nano community tanks, and unheated aquariums

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnows should I keep?

They are schooling fish and should always be kept in groups of at least 8, although schools of 10–15 create a far more natural and impressive display.

Do Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnows need a heater?

Not usually. They are naturally adapted to cooler water and thrive between 18–24°C, making them ideal for many unheated indoor aquariums. A heater may be beneficial if room temperatures fluctuate significantly.

What do Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnows eat?

They thrive on quality flakes, micro pellets, frozen bloodworms, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, and other small live or frozen foods.

Can Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnows live with shrimp?

Yes. They are excellent companions for Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, and other dwarf shrimp species. Very small shrimplets may occasionally be eaten.

Are Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnows easy to breed?

Yes. They are one of the easiest egg-scattering fish to breed and will often spawn in well-planted aquariums with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops.

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Common Mistakes

Keeping them in warm tropical aquariums

Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnows prefer cooler temperatures. Prolonged exposure to water above 26°C can reduce lifespan and increase stress.

Keeping them in small groups

They are highly social and become less active and colourful when kept in insufficient numbers.

Housing them with aggressive fish

Choose peaceful community species that won't harass their long flowing fins.

Feeding only dry foods

A varied diet including frozen and live foods improves colouration, health, and breeding success.

Providing too little swimming space

Although small, they are active swimmers that appreciate open areas alongside dense planting.