White cloud mountain minnow

The white cloud mountain minnow was once thought extinct in the wild, but small populations still survive in spring-fed streams around the Pearl River Delta in China and in parts of northern Vietnam. It is a cool-water species that thrives between 14°C and 22°C, which means it can live comfortably in an unheated indoor aquarium in most climates. Adults reach about 4 cm and carry a beautiful iridescent stripe along the flank that glows gold in good light, with a red tail and dorsal fin. They are exceptionally peaceful and should be kept in groups of eight or more to bring out their natural schooling behaviour. A 30-litre tank with dark substrate, dense planting, and some floating plants is enough for a small school. pH can range from 6.0 to 8.0 and hardness is flexible, matching the adaptable nature of the species. In the wild they feed on small insects, worms, and zooplankton, and in captivity they accept any fine-grade flake or granule, with regular treats of brine shrimp and daphnia to keep them in condition. Males display more intense colour when competing for females, and breeding is easy in a planted tank—they scatter eggs among fine-leaved plants with no parental care, and fry often appear without intervention. Several colour varieties exist including long-fin, gold, and albino, though standard wild-type fish tend to be hardier. Aquarium lifespan estimates are around 5 years with suitable care. They are an excellent choice for beginners and for cool-water or species-only setups where their subtle beauty can be appreciated.