Mountain Minnow Care Guide: The Perfect Beginner-Friendly Fish

If you’re searching for a hardy, peaceful, and visually striking fish for your aquarium, the Mountain Minnow, is an excellent choice. Loved by beginners and experienced aquarists alike, this tiny fish is known for its shimmering colours, active schooling behaviour, and impressive ability to thrive in a range of conditions.

In this guide, we’ll explore its origin, care needs, and what makes it such a delightful addition to a home aquarium.

Origin & History

The Mountain Minnow was first discovered in the 1930s near White Cloud Mountain in Guangdong, China, a discovery that ultimately inspired its iconic name: the White Cloud Mountain Minnow. For several decades after its introduction to the aquarium hobby, the species thrived in the wild. However, rapid urban development, pollution, and habitat destruction in the region led to a dramatic decline in its natural population. At one point, the species was even considered functionally extinct in the wild, surviving primarily through captive populations.

Fortunately, large-scale captive breeding programs stepped in to preserve the species. Today, nearly all Mountain Minnows available in the aquarium trade are bred in captivity, ensuring both sustainability and widespread availability. Thanks to these breeding initiatives, White Cloud Mountain Minnows are now easily accessible, incredibly popular, and remarkably hardy- qualities that make them an ideal choice for beginners and seasoned aquarists alike.

What Size Do Minnows Grow To?

Mountain Minnows are known for their small, manageable size, which makes them one of the most popular nano fish for home aquariums. Their compact body shape and peaceful schooling behaviour allow them to thrive in smaller tanks while still providing plenty of visual interest and activity.

Average adult size: 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm)

Maximum reported size: Up to 1.7 inches (4.5 cm)

Because Mountain Minnows remain small throughout their entire lives, they are ideal for nano aquariums, small community tanks, and beginner-friendly setups. Their petite size is one of the main reasons the White Cloud Mountain Minnow is consistently recommended as one of the best small aquarium fish for aquarists with limited space. Even in compact tanks, a school of Mountain Minnows brings vibrant colour and constant movement, creating a lively, eye-catching display without the need for a large aquarium.

That being said, Mountain Minnows also thrive in larger aquariums. As fast, active schooling fish, they look incredibly impressive when kept in a sizable group, forming a dynamic, shimmering shoal that makes full use of a big swimming area. Thanks to their speed and agility, they can also be safely kept with some larger, peaceful species that may not be suitable tank mates for more delicate small community fish.

Appearance & Varieties

Despite their small size, Mountain Minnows stand out thanks to their bright colours and sleek, streamlined build. They have slender, torpedo-shaped bodies that allow them to swim quickly and school gracefully. Their scales create a subtle metallic shimmer, giving them a luminous appearance under aquarium lighting.

Key features include:

A shimmering silver or bronze base that reflects light beautifully
A glowing, neon-like lateral line that becomes even more vibrant in a healthy school
Red-tipped fins and tail, often semi-transparent, with a forked caudal fin that enhances their swift, agile swimming

Together, their colourful markings, reflective scales, and elegant fin structure make Mountain Minnows surprisingly striking for such a small fish.

Popular varieties include:

Standard White Cloud – The classic coloration
Golden White Cloud – A bright golden body with pinkish fins
Longfin White Cloud – Elegant longer flowing fins
Vietnamese / “Golden" Minnow Variants – Slightly slimmer and vibrant

Each variety adds a unique aesthetic to the aquarium while retaining the species’ easy-care nature.

If you’re not sure which variety you’d like, why not pop into the store and see them in person? Here at Complete Koi & Aquatics, we always have White Cloud Mountain Minnows in stock, including different colour forms and fin types. Seeing them up close can help you choose the perfect variety for your aquarium and get expert advice at the same time.

Ideal Water Parameters For Mountain Minnows

Mountain Minnows are hardy and adaptable, making them ideal for beginners or as the first fish introduced to an aquarium. While they aren’t overly demanding, maintaining stable water conditions ensures they remain healthy, active, and display their full range of vibrant colours.

pH: 6.5–8.0 – They tolerate a fairly wide pH range, which means they can adapt to most freshwater aquarium setups. Slightly acidic to neutral water often brings out their best coloration.
GH (General Hardness): 5–19 dGH – Mountain Minnows can thrive in both soft and moderately hard water, making them compatible with many community tank setups.
KH (Carbonate Hardness): 4–12 dKH – A moderate KH helps stabilize pH and supports overall fish health.
Ideal temperature: 18–24°C – As temperate fish, they prefer cooler water than most tropical species. They can tolerate slight fluctuations, but prolonged high temperatures can stress them.
Water flow: Moderate – A gentle current simulates their natural stream habitats and keeps them active but avoids overly strong currents that could exhaust them.

Keeping these water parameters consistent, along with regular testing and partial water changes, helps ensure your Mountain Minnows remain healthy, active, and full of colour. Like all fish, they thrive in a stable environment, and sudden fluctuations or prolonged poor water quality can lead to stress and health problems.

For more information on testing your aquarium water, [Click Here] to read our guide “Understanding Your Aquarium Water.” It covers what to test, why each parameter matters, and how to adjust conditions to create the healthiest environment for your fish to thrive.

Temperature Tolerance: Tropical or Temperate?

Mountain Minnows are considered temperate fish, naturally thriving in cooler water than most tropical aquarium species. Despite this, they can also do well in warmer tropical tanks, making them a highly adaptable and versatile choice for a variety of aquarium setups.

They do well at room temperature and usually don’t require a heater in most homes. However, it’s always a good idea to have a thermometer in your aquarium so you can monitor water temperature closely. If temperatures drop too low, a heater can be added to maintain a safe environment. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 25°C can cause stress and may reduce their lifespan, so it’s important to avoid consistently warm water.

Mountain Minnows are highly adaptable, tolerating a range of temperatures from cooler, temperate conditions to slightly warmer tropical levels. This flexibility makes them ideal for both unheated aquariums and tropical community tanks, allowing them to coexist with a variety of compatible fish. Their hardiness and versatility give aquarists greater freedom when planning a peaceful, thriving community aquarium.

Suitable Tank Mates

When selecting tank mates for Mountain Minnows, choose peaceful species that match their size and temperament. Whether you’re keeping your minnows in a temperate or tropical setup, it’s important to ensure all fish in the tank thrive within the same temperature range to avoid health or compatibility issues.

Mountain Minnows are highly social and do best in groups of at least 6–8, though larger schools of 10 or more create a stunning, active display in the aquarium

Recommended Tank Mates Include:

· Zebra Danios

· Rosy Barbs

· Hillstream Loaches

· Pygmy Corydoras

· Tetras (Neon, Cardinal, Rummynose, Lemon etc)

· Snails and shrimp

This list is by no means exhaustive, thanks to their adaptability, Mountain Minnows can be kept with a wide variety of fish. The most important consideration is that all species in your tank are suited to the same water conditions you plan to keep.

Tank Mates To Avoid

When selecting tank mates for Mountain Minnows, it’s important to steer clear of larger or aggressive species that may see them as food or harass them due to their small size and active swimming behaviour. Mountain Minnows are peaceful community fish and can quickly become stressed or injured in the wrong environment.

Species to avoid include:

Oscars
Parrot Fish
Green Terrors
Jack Dempseys
Flowerhorns
Arowanas
Large catfish (e.g., Redtail Catfish, Pictus Catfish)
Any large or territorial cichlids

These fish are either too big, too aggressive, or produce excessive waste, making them unsuitable tank mates for small, fast-moving Mountain Minnows. Housing them together can lead to stress, injury, or worse.

Goldfish Warning

While goldfish can also thrive in cooler water, they are not suitable companions for Mountain Minnows. Goldfish grow much larger, produce a lot of waste, and may accidentally bump, injure, or outcompete smaller, fast-moving fish like Mountain Minnows—especially during feeding.

Mountain Minnows are peaceful and active swimmers, so they do best in community tanks with other small, non-aggressive species that won’t pose a threat to their safety or wellbeing.

Not sure what's compatible?

If you’re unsure whether Mountain Minnows are the right choice for your setup, simply get in touch or pop into our shop to speak with a member of our team. We’re always happy to provide advice on compatibility and help you get the best out of your aquarium!

Suitable Tank Size For Mountain Minnows

Although Mountain Minnows are small, they are active swimmers that thrive when kept in groups and given plenty of space to move. Providing a tank that allows them to school naturally helps reduce stress and encourages healthy, lively behaviour.

Minimum tank size: 30 litres for a small group: For example- Aquael Smart Shrimp 30L Aquarium

Recommended tank size: 50 litres or more to give Minnows plenty of room to swim. The Marina Lux 75 Aquarium is an excellent option, offering ample space and a suitable environment for these active fish.

A longer tank is preferable to a tall one, as it gives the fish room to swim and explore. Including both open swimming areas and sheltered spots for hiding helps create a more natural, comfortable environment for your Mountain Minnows.

We would recommend the Superfish Scaper 60 Aquarium for keeping Mountain Minnows. It features a gentle Hang-On Back Filtration System and comes equipped to support a beautifully planted environment. To get the most out of this tank, simply add some soil and a heater, and you’ll be able to create a thriving, lush underwater jungle for your fish to explore!

What Filtration Do They Need?

Like all aquarium fish, Mountain Minnows need proper filtration to maintain a healthy and stable environment. Although they are small, they produce waste, and because their debris is often fine, it’s best to use a filter that can handle small particles. Filters with fine media, such as filter floss, are particularly effective at trapping debris and keeping the water crystal clear.

A gentle, efficient filter is key for these fish. Sponge filters or small hang-on-back filters are ideal, as they provide steady, moderate water flow without creating strong currents that could stress your minnows.

For most smaller tanks, the Fluval U Range of internal filters works particularly well. These filters have adjustable flow rates, allowing you to set the water movement to suit the needs of your fish and create a safe, comfortable environment.

If you’re unsure which filter is best for your setup, check out our “Buying Guide: Aquarium Filters” for expert advice and comparisons to help you choose the ideal system for your aquarium.

Maintaining proper filtration ensures vibrant, active Mountain Minnows and keeps your tank clean and healthy. Regular maintenance is essential: clean your filter about once a month using water from the tank. This helps remove waste while preserving the beneficial bacteria that are crucial for biological filtration.

What Do Minnows Eat?

Mountain Minnows are omnivores and very easy to feed. In the wild, they consume small insect larvae, tiny crustaceans, and plant matter.

In an aquarium, they thrive on a varied diet, including:

High-quality flake food
Micro pellets foods e.g. Tropical Crumb
Frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms
Occasional vegetable-based foods, like spirulina flakes

Feed small portions 1–2 times a day, giving only what they can consume within a few seconds. This helps prevent overfeeding and keeps water quality high.

Quick Care Tips

Keep them in schools—the more, the better.
Avoid high heat; they’re happiest in cooler water, use a thermometer to keep a close eye on your aquarium water.
Provide plants, rocks, ornaments as well as open swimming areas.
Perform regular water changes (10-20% weekly) -and always use a dechlorinator when refilling
Maintain stable water parameters by testing your water regularly!
Choose tank mates carefully to avoid stress and fin-nipping.

Call to Action

Mountain Minnows are peaceful, hardy, and beginner-friendly, making them a fantastic fish to start a new aquarium with or to add to an existing community tank. Their vibrant colours, active schooling behaviour, and adaptability to a range of water conditions bring life and movement to any setup.

They thrive in groups, enjoy both planted and open swimming areas, and can coexist with a variety of compatible tank mates, making them ideal for both cool-water and tropical community tanks.

If you’re looking to add beauty, activity, and resilience to your aquarium, the Mountain Minnow is the perfect choice. Start building your community tank today—your future school of Mountain Minnows is waiting for their new home!

For more information and advice on aquatics, check out the rest of our blogs…

A Beginner’s Guide to Setting up an Aquarium | Can I Use Tap Water In My Aquarium? | The Best Freshwater Fish For Your Aquarium