organism
Zebra danio vs White Cloud Mountain minnow
Two hardy cool-water shoalers. Which for an unheated tank?
Short answer
The White Cloud is the genuinely temperate one and the calmer of the two. The zebra danio is faster, more boisterous and needs considerably more swimming length.
Side by side
| Dimension | Zebra danio | White Cloud Mountain minnow | Favours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 18–25 °C | 14–22 °C | White Cloud Mountain minnow |
| Suits an unheated room-temperature tank | Usually | Yes | White Cloud Mountain minnow |
| Activity | Boisterous, constantly moving | Moderate | White Cloud Mountain minnow |
| Minimum tank | 90 L / 75 cm | 60 L / 60 cm | White Cloud Mountain minnow |
| Fin-nipping | Occasional | None | White Cloud Mountain minnow |
| Jumps | Yes | Rarely | White Cloud Mountain minnow |
| Availability | Universal | Common | Zebra danio |
Which to choose
Zebra danio
Choose zebra danios for a long tank where their pace suits robust tankmates.
White Cloud Mountain minnow
Choose White Clouds for a smaller unheated tank, or where calmer tankmates are involved.
One caveat
Both are routinely sold as tropical fish and kept at 26 °C, which shortens the life of each. Neither needs a heater in a normally heated room.