FishTankWhite cloud mountain minnow care: tank size, temperature and tankmates
A small minnow that prefers cool water, so many tanks need no heater at all. White clouds are peaceful and color up well when kept cool.
1.5 in
Adult size
10 gal
Smallest tank
60–72°F
Temperature
6+
Group size
Quick facts
| Type | Minnow |
|---|---|
| Adult size | About 1.5 inches |
| Smallest tank | 10 gallons |
| Temperature | 60–72°F |
| Keep | 6 or more |
| Watch for | Handles cooler water down to about 60°F. |
How to keep them
Don't mix them with warm-water tropical fish. They pair well with other cool-water fish and shrimp.
Like every fish, they need a cycled tank, a heater set inside their range, and a weekly water change of about 25%. Test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before you add them. New to this? Start with how to cycle a fish tank.
Tankmates
Good tankmates
Zebra danio · Platy · Corydoras (bronze or peppered) · Cherry shrimp · Amano shrimp · Mystery snail
Possible, with care
- Neon tetra: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Black skirt tetra: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Serpae tetra: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Harlequin rasbora: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Tiger barb: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Guppy: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Endler's livebearer: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Molly: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Swordtail: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Honey gourami: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Pygmy corydoras: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Otocinclus: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Bristlenose pleco: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Nerite snail: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
Avoid
- Cardinal tetra: No shared temperature: white cloud minnows like 60–72°F, cardinal tetras 75–82°F.
- Ember tetra: No shared temperature: white cloud minnows like 60–72°F, ember tetras 73–82°F.
- Rummynose tetra: No shared temperature: white cloud minnows like 60–72°F, rummynose tetras 75–82°F.
- Cherry barb: No shared temperature: white cloud minnows like 60–72°F, cherry barbs 73–81°F.
- Betta (male): No shared temperature: white cloud minnows like 60–72°F, bettas 76–82°F.
- Dwarf gourami: No shared temperature: white cloud minnows like 60–72°F, dwarf gouramis 75–80°F.
- Pearl gourami: No shared temperature: white cloud minnows like 60–72°F, pearl gouramis 77–82°F.
- Kuhli loach: No shared temperature: white cloud minnows like 60–72°F, kuhli loaches 75–86°F.
- Angelfish: No shared temperature: white cloud minnows like 60–72°F, angelfish 76–84°F. Adult angelfish eat fish as small as white cloud minnows.
- Fancy goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish. Goldfish eat anything that fits in their mouth.
- Common goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish. Goldfish eat anything that fits in their mouth.
Check a whole tank in the fish compatibility checker, or see if they fit with the stocking calculator.
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