Can Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow Live Together?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated May 6, 2026
Not Recommended

Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow are not recommended as tank mates due to no temperature overlap and conflicting pH requirements. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

Marlier's Julie

Julidochromis marlieri

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Tanichthys albonubes

🐠Family Group
Marlier's Julie
Cichlids - African
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Cyprinids
Temperament
Marlier's Julie
Semi-Aggressive (6/10)
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Peaceful (1/10)
Temperature
✗ No overlap
Marlier's Julie
23–27°C
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
14–22°C
pH Range
✗ No overlap
Marlier's Julie
8.2–9.3
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
6–8
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
Marlier's Julie
10–25
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
5–20
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Marlier's Julie
Freshwater Only
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Marlier's Julie
Moderate
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 114 L
Marlier's Julie
114 L
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
38 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 1 zone
Marlier's Julie
BottomMiddle
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
TopMiddle
🏷️Behavior Tags
Marlier's Julie
Territorial (Defends specific area)Aggressive to same species/look-alikesDigger (Disturbs Substrate)Fry Predator
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk)Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

Marlier's Julie
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Marlier's Julie is a moderately assertive species (6/10), while White Cloud Mountain Minnow is peaceful (1/10). This notable difference means Marlier's Julie may occasionally assert dominance over White Cloud Mountain Minnow.

Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow both frequent the Middle (Open Water) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Worth noting: White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

There is no temperature overlap between Marlier's Julie (23–27°C) and White Cloud Mountain Minnow (14–22°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

The pH requirements of Marlier's Julie (8.2–9.3) and White Cloud Mountain Minnow (6–8) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–20 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow together, plan for an aquarium of at least 114 litres with a minimum length of 80 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Plants - Densely covered, Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Why This Pairing Usually Fails in Practice

Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.

Suitable Tank Sizes

Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow.

Show 11 more tank sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow live together?

No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities — such as non-overlapping temperature ranges — make cohabitation unsafe.

What size tank do Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?

A minimum of 114 litres (tank length at least 80 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow together?

Unfortunately, there is no temperature range that satisfies both species. Marlier's Julie requires 23–27°C, while White Cloud Mountain Minnow needs 14–22°C.

Are Marlier's Julie or White Cloud Mountain Minnow aggressive?

Marlier's Julie is moderately assertive (6/10) and White Cloud Mountain Minnow is peaceful (1/10). The gap in aggression levels means the calmer fish may experience stress from the more assertive one.

What pH do Marlier's Julie and White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?

Their pH requirements do not overlap. Marlier's Julie prefers 8.2–9.3, while White Cloud Mountain Minnow needs 6–8. This makes them incompatible in the same water chemistry.

How do I manage Marlier's Julie's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives Marlier's Julie space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding décor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.

Editorial Review

Guidarium Editorial Desk

Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.

Last reviewed
May 6, 2026
Last updated
May 6, 2026
Issues or corrections?
Contact the editorial team

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