Description
Quick answer: longfin white cloud minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) are the long finned form of the standard white cloud, sold at 2.5 cm. They take the same cool water and easy care, with fins that make a small fish look considerably larger.
The standard white cloud is a workhorse. The long finned version is the display version of the same workhorse, and it sells to a different customer: someone who wants an unheated tank that still looks planted and deliberate rather than utilitarian.
Identification
The same silver body and red white stripe as the standard form, with elongated dorsal, anal and caudal fins. The fins trail behind the fish and catch light, which is the entire visual appeal. Adults stay around 3 to 4 cm with the fins adding more.
Fin length varies between lines and between batches. We grade the batch and quote what is actually in it rather than promising a show standard fin on every fish.
Water parameters
14 to 22 degrees Celsius, pH 6.0 to 8.0. Same tolerance as the standard form. No heater needed, and the fish handles the temperature swings of an unheated room better than most tropical species.
Behaviour and tank mates
Peaceful and active in the upper water column. Groups of eight or more. Long fins make them slightly more vulnerable to nipping, so avoid boisterous barbs and keep them with calm companions.
Grading and packing
Fish are graded at 2.5 cm, fasted and packed in oxygen. Long fins fold in transit and can curl on longer routes, but they straighten in clean water. Density is kept moderate so the fins are not compressed.
Ordering
Send the quantity, size and destination. We confirm what the batch holds, how it will be packed and the delivery terms.
Unheated planted setups
Cold water planted tanks are a growing category, and the longfin white cloud is one of the few fish that suits them without a heater. It handles room temperature, tolerates a wide pH range and looks better against green plants than in a bare tank. A retailer who builds one display tank around that idea sells both the fish and the plants it sits in, which is a better sale than a bag of fish alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a different species from a white cloud?
No. It is the same Tanichthys albonubes with a long fin mutation.
Do the fins get damaged?
They can curl in transit or be nipped. Clean water and calm tank mates protect them.
Can they live in an unheated tank?
Yes. They are comfortable from 14 to 22 degrees Celsius.
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