Juvenile Longfin White Cloud 2.5cm

Longfin White Cloud

White clouds are by far one of the best beginner fish species, they are cheap, incredibly hardy, stay small, and are cold-water tolerant. The surprising thing is, for such a popular and widespread fish in the aquarium hobby, the white cloud is almost extinct in its wild range due to habitat loss. The aquarium hobby however is easily the sole reason this fish is so loved and can remain alive which is great.

Through the years of keeping and breeding these fish, there are now a fair few captive strains like the golden and long-fin white clouds which arguably take this fish up a notch. White clouds are not exactly the most colourful fish in existence however their simplicity speaks a lot. Once these fish mature the metallic body colour with neon blue and red colours on the fins really comes through. Coupled with the long flowing fins it's almost certain that these will be an eye-catcher in the home aquarium or even in an outdoor pond.

As mentioned, white clouds can be bred quite easily in the home aquarium. As long as there is dense plant cover in the tank where the fry can hatch and seek refuge, it's almost guaranteed that these fish will breed. Though there are no exact defining factors between males and females, males tend to be more slender and brightly coloured.

Tank Recommendations for your Longfin White Cloud
Being very small and extremely easy to care for species, the long-fin white cloud can be kept in tanks with a minimum volume of 25 litres. They can withstand swings in parameters and temperature which makes them a great fish to keep in smaller tanks. Due to their top-dwelling nature, they are not fussy with substrate and will be happy will sand or gravel. The only precaution that should be taken into consideration for long-fin white clouds is that they can jump out of a tank with no lid.

Suitable Tank Buddies
White clouds are extremely peaceful fish with no fin-nipping tendencies, they can be kept with a vast range of peaceful community fish. Because these are long fin white clouds they can be easy targets for fin-nipping fish so caution should be had here.

Usually Compatible
Tetras, gouramis, corydoras, pleco, cherry barbs, and common community fish species.

Sometime Compatible
dwarf cichlids such as rams, Apistogramma, and checkerboards may show aggression to the white clouds.

Rarely Compatible
Since white clouds have such a small profile, they can be very easy prey for many aquarium fish. It's usually best to avoid keeping this species with any fish that has a mouth size larger than the white cloud. Fin nipping species like tiger barbs should also be avoided.

Feeding your longfin White Cloud
Long-fin white clouds will take to a wide range of aquarium foods given to them, including pellets, flakes, and frozen and live foods. When kept in a school it is great to see their pack feeding as they hammer the surface of the water when feeding. Because of this primarily surface-dwelling mentality, floating or slow-sinking food is best fed to them.