Also known as the meteor minnow, the white cloud mountain minnow, or the Chinese danio, white cloud minnows are very hardy. They can tolerate far colder temperatures than other tropical aquarium fish, and usually get along peacefully with other tank dwellers.
White cloud minnows can live in an aquarium without a heater — as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius). They don’t do well in overly warm water, either, but can live quite happily in a relatively small desktop aquarium.
These omnivores will happily eat fish flakes, frozen foods, freeze dried foods, and live foods. Offer a varied diet so your white cloud minnows can get all the nutrients they need.
Some aquarium hobbyists suggest keeping white cloud minnows with larger fish. White cloud minnows are on the small side, and reach an average length of two inches (five centimeters). When they are kept in smaller groups, white cloud minnows can go on the offensive against other fish of similar size. In schools of six or more, white cloud minnows feel more confident.
White cloud minnows swim all over the tank, and can be quite active swimmers. Expect your white cloud minnows to live between three and five years or more. If you want your white cloud minnows to breed, all you have to do is adjust the temperature. A water temperature around 68 degrees Fahrenheit will encourage your white cloud minnows to lay eggs on the bottom of the tank. Just be sure to remove the adults afterwards, or they can eat the eggs!
Males tend to be more colorful than females.
As a word of warning: white cloud minnows are considered a pest fish in some areas. They can be kept in an aquarium but cannot be released or kept in outdoor ponds where they could wash into other waterways. Check your local laws to be sure.
Tank information for white cloud minnows:
- pH between 6 and 8
- Temperature between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (7 and 21 degrees Celsius)
- Water hardness between 2 and 25
- Tank size of five gallons or larger