Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow

Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow (Tanichthys Micagemmae)

Vietnamese Cardinal Minnows have multiple common names, including Blue White Cloud, Royal White Cloud, Vietnamese Minnow, Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow, Vietnamese White Cloud, and Sparkle-Eye Minnow.

The Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow is a small, elegant freshwater fish native to Vietnam. Their slender, transparent bodies showcase a brilliant iridescent blue stripe running from the nose to the tail, along with a distinctive black dot near the base of the tail. Since it is peaceful, beautiful, hardy, and easy to breed, making them popular among hobbyists.

Vietnamese Cardinal Minnows have a peaceful demeanor and are schooling fish, thriving in groups of at least 6-8 individuals. They grow to a maximum size of 1.2 inches and make excellent additions to community tanks with other peaceful tank mates.

These fish are very peaceful and ideal residents of the well-maintained community tank, although they will not do well with much larger or more boisterous tankmates. Compatible tank mates that share their peaceful temperament include Neon Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Ember Tetras, Rummy-nose Tetras, Swordtails, Cherry Barbs, and Platies. Because of their tiny size, do not keep them with larger tankmates or aggressive species, as the other fish will view them as live food.

These omnivorous fish enjoy a varied diet, including high-quality flake food, micro-pellets, freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, and occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach or lettuce.

Vietnamese Cardinal Minnows typically exhibit more vibrant coloration in a densely planted aquarium featuring a dark substrate. Create a lush environment with a variety of plants, such as Java moss, Anubias, and Java ferns, to promote their natural beauty. Incorporate rocks and driftwood to establish perfect hiding spots while ensuring open swimming spaces. This setup will encourage the minnows to display their striking colors and thrive in their surroundings.

A minimum aquarium size of 10 gallons is recommended. Maintain a gentle water flow and ensure good water quality, with a temperature range of 68°F to 79°F (20°C to 26°C), a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, and a hardness of 5-15 dGH.