Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow

• ExerciseModerate

  An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• GroomingEasy tank upkeep

  No grooming here — steady water quality and routine tank care do it.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment3–5 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Skin conditions

The Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow (Tanichthys micagemmae) comes from the Bang river system in central Vietnam and reaches about 2.5 to 3 cm. It is a close relative of the white cloud mountain minnow, with a bronze-olive body, a bright blue-white lateral stripe and red markings in the dorsal and caudal fins. It was only described in 2001. Keep a group of ten or more in a planted tank of 45 litres or more at 18-25C with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and soft to medium water. Like its relative it is a subtropical fish that does not need a heater in a normally heated home, and it in fact lives longer at the cooler end of its range. Provide gentle flow, fine plants and a covered top. Feed fine flake, micro-pellets and small live or frozen daphnia, cyclops and baby brine. It is peaceful, hardy, shrimp safe and an excellent choice for an unheated nano tank, which is a genuinely small category of fish.

• How active is a Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow?

  Moderate. An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• How much maintenance does a Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow need?

  Easy tank upkeep. No grooming here — steady water quality and routine tank care do it.

• What tank size does a Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow live?

  3–5 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Vietnamese Cardinal Minnow?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Skin conditions. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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