Add a touch of radiant elegance to your aquarium with the Golden White Cloud Mountain Minnow. This stunning color morph of the traditional White Cloud is prized for its luminous, cream-to-gold body and vibrant red fins. Often referred to as the "Poor Man's Neon Tetra"—not because of its looks, but because of its incredible hardiness—this fish is a perfect choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists looking for a lively, cold-water-tolerant schooling fish.

Quick Stats & Origin

• Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes (Golden Morph)

• Origin: The original species hails from the pristine, cool streams of the White Cloud Mountain in Guangdong, China. The "Golden" variety is a selectively bred strain.

• Adult Size: 1.5–2 inches.

• Lifespan: 3–5 years.

Care & Environment

Golden White Clouds are exceptionally resilient. Unlike most tropical fish, they thrive in cooler water, making them ideal for unheated indoor aquariums or temperate setups.

• Tank Size: A minimum of 10 gallons is recommended for a school. They are active swimmers that utilize the top and middle layers of the tank.

• Temperature: They are unique in preferring 60°F to 72°F (15°C–22°C). While they can tolerate tropical temperatures, they often live longer and show better color in cooler water.

• Substrate & Decor: They look spectacular against a dark substrate with plenty of live plants. They do not require high-tech setups and appreciate the shelter of floating plants or dense stems like Bacopa or Anacharis.

• Water Parameters: * pH: 6.0–8.0.

  • Hardness: 5–19 dGH.

Feeding & Diet

These minnows are unfussy omnivores with a high metabolism.

• Daily Diet: High-quality flake food or micro-pellets.

• Treats: They love frozen or live foods such as daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and tubifex worms.

• Color Maintenance: Feeding foods rich in carotenoids will help keep their red fins looking intense and their golden bodies glowing.

Tank Mates

Golden White Clouds are peaceful and social, making them perfect community residents.

• Ideal Partners: Other temperate fish like Rosy Barbs, Zebra Danios, or Weather Loaches. They are also excellent companions for Neocaridina shrimp (like Cherry Shrimp), as they are less likely to hunt adults.

• Social Needs: They must be kept in a group of 6 or more. In larger schools, males will display "sparring" behavior—spreading their fins in a beautiful dance to impress females.

• Avoid: Large, predatory fish or high-temperature-dependent species like Discus.

Breeding

One of the easiest egg-layers to breed in the hobby!

• Spawning: They are continuous spawners, often scattering eggs among fine-leafed plants like Java Moss.

• Fry Protection: Unlike many other species, White Clouds generally do not eat their own eggs or fry, making them a great choice for "colony breeding" in a dedicated planted tank.

• Raising Fry: The tiny fry will initially feed on infusoria or specialized powdered fry food before moving up to baby brine shrimp.

Aquarist Tip: Because they are so hardy and enjoy cooler water, Golden White Clouds are a popular choice for "Patio Ponds" or outdoor water features during the summer months!

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.

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