Family: Cyprinidae
A hardy, peaceful cold-water minnow with red-tipped fins and an iridescent stripe — ideal for unheated planted tanks.
Discovered in 1932 on Baiyun Mountain near Guangzhou, the white cloud minnow is one of the most forgiving aquarium fish ever kept. It thrives in cool, unheated tanks, tolerates a wide chemistry range, and breeds readily among fine-leaved plants. Males flare their red fins in display — a splash of living color that asks almost nothing in return.
Yes — they prefer it. They are a cool-water species happiest at 18–22 °C and tolerate a winter drop toward 15 °C. The real risk is summer heat above 25 °C, which shortens their lives.
At least eight. They are a shoaling fish that relies on group confidence; in small numbers they hide, lose color and refuse to display.
Fading is usually a sign of stress: water that is too warm, too few companions, or poor water quality. Cooler, cleaner water and a bigger group restore color within days.
Adults are safe with adult Neocaridina shrimp, though they will eat newborn fry and shrimplets. Dense moss gives the small ones refuge.
Three to five years is typical with cool, clean water; poorly kept warm-water specimens often fade within eighteen months.