The telescopic-eyed Black Moor Goldfish is one of the most popular fancy goldfish varieties available today. Known for its rich, velvety black coloration, protruding eyes, and graceful, flowing fins, it’s often chosen as a striking contrast to gold-colored goldfish in tanks or ponds. However, despite their popularity, Black Moors require slightly different care compared to less-developed varieties like Common Goldfish or Comets.
They are often added to a goldfish keeper’s collection for their unique appearance, but it’s essential to understand that these fancy fish need special consideration when it comes to feeding, tank mates, and tank setup.
In this blog post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Black Moor Goldfish care, including tank setup, feeding, common diseases, breeding, and more — in simple and easy language.
What Is a Black Moor Goldfish?
The Black Moor is a type of fancy goldfish with a round body, double tail, and large bulging eyes (called telescope eyes). They are known for their dark black color and slow, gentle swimming.
Unlike slim-bodied goldfish (like the Comet), Black Moors have poor vision and need calmer tank environments to thrive.
Summary and Key Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | China |
| Chinese Name | Dragon Eye |
| Japanese Name | Demekin |
| Max Size (Body) | 125mm (5 inches) |
| Body Shape | Deep and rounded |
| Caudal Fin | Paired; veil-tail (UK) or forked (US) |
| Dorsal Fin | Present |
| Scale Type | Metallic |
| Eye Type | Telescope |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years with proper care |
| Special Care Note | Do not house with normal-eyed or aggressive goldfish |
Black Moor Goldfish History and Origin
All goldfish, including the Black Moor, trace back to the Prussian or Gibel carp. Through selective breeding, over 100 varieties have been developed. The Black Moor, specifically, descends from the telescope-eyed Moor, which itself originated from the twin-tailed Wakin — one of Japan’s oldest and most loved goldfish varieties.
Historical records from China suggest that twin-tailed goldfish varieties like the Moor began appearing as early as the 16th century. Despite being a common sight in aquariums today, no goldfish variety — not even the Common — exists in the wild unless introduced by humans.
Physical Characteristics of Black Moors
A high-quality Black Moor should have:
- Metallic scales with deep, velvety blue-black coloration covering the entire body and fins
- Protruding telescope eyes that are even in size and slightly forward-facing
- A deep, rounded body, where the depth is at least 65% of the length
- All paired fins except the dorsal; caudal fins should be even and well-formed
- Veil-tails (UK Standard) or forked tails (U.S. Standard)
- Maximum body length of about 125 mm (5 inches)
Note: Fish showing bronzy undertones may eventually change color. To retain the black coloration, avoid keeping them in overly warm water.
Black Moor Goldfish Eye Types (Variations)
Black Moors Goldfish exhibit several eye variations:
- Conical-shaped (smooth cones)
- Concentric circle types
- Balloon-shaped (rounded protrusions on cheeks)
Feeding and Diet
Being deep-bodied, Black Moors are prone to digestion and swim bladder issues if fed low-quality food.
Recommended Diet:
- Gel Foods: Repashy Super Gold is ideal
- Live/Frozen Foods: Mosquito larvae, bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp
- Vegetables: Blanched peas (shelled), spinach, zucchini
Feed 2–3 times a day. Adult fish need 1–2% of their body weight in food daily.
Fact: Goldfish can’t be overfed — the real risk is water pollution from uneaten or dissolved food.
Black Moor Goldfish Tank Setup and Maintenance
Tank Size:
- Minimum: 70 liters (18 US gallons) for one Moor
- Add 45 liters (12 US gallons) for each additional goldfish
Placement:
Avoid direct sunlight or strong lighting to prevent algae. Use UV clarifiers if necessary.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 60–75°F (16–24°C)
- pH: 6.5–7.4
- Nitrates: Below 30 ppm (under 5 ppm for fry)
- Ammonia/Nitrites: 0 ppm
- GH: 130–200 ppm
- KH: 89–142 ppm
Use test kits with solutions and test tubes, not strips.
Filtration:
Use a filter that turns over the water volume 4x per hour without creating strong currents. Filters reduce ammonia and nitrite buildup but don’t eliminate the need for regular water changes.
Heating:
Black Moors are warm-water fish. Heaters aren’t needed indoors unless temperatures dip below 7°C (45°F). Avoid keeping them in long-term cold water to prevent buoyancy disorders.
Plants and Substrate
Suitable Plants:
- Vallisneria
- Blue Hygrophila (and dwarf varieties)
- Hygrophila Difformis
- Red Bacopa
- Ludwigia Arcuata
Use caution with gravel: pieces between 3–6mm are safe. Avoid fine sand if using undergravel filters. Consider containers for planted tanks.
Aquarium Decorations
Black Moors are short-sighted and clumsy swimmers. Avoid decorations with sharp or hard edges, as eye injuries are common. If an eye is damaged, it may deflate and not recover, so prevention is key.
Suitable Tank Mates for Black Moors
Avoid mixing Black Moors with:
- Fast-swimming goldfish like Comets
- Aggressive species or fin-nippers like Barbs
Safe companions include:
- Other fancy goldfish (e.g., Oranda, Lionhead)
- Bristlenose catfish (monitor behavior — some may nip slime coats)
Don’t house Moors with significantly smaller fish or fish they can swallow.
Common Health Diseases & Parasites in Black Moor Goldfish
Like all goldfish, Black Moors can get sick if their tank is not clean or if they’re stressed. Here are the most common diseases to watch out for:
| Disease | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Ich (White Spot) | White dots, rubbing against objects | Raise temp, use Ich medication |
| Fin Rot | Torn fins, red edges | Improve water, antibacterial |
| Swim Bladder Disease | Floating upside down or sinking | Fast for 1 day, feed peas |
| Fungal Infections | Cotton-like patches on body or fins | Antifungal treatments |
| Cloudy Eye | Milky appearance in eyes | Improve water, medicated food |
Common Issues:
- Swim Bladder Disorder: Caused by poor diet; affects buoyancy
- Eye Injuries: From tank decor or tankmates
- Ich (White Spot): Parasite; treat with temperature increase + meds
- Fin Rot: Due to poor water; use antibacterial treatment
Parasites:
- Flukes (especially in fish <2″)
- Intestinal worms
- Ich and Costia (protozoa)
- Anchor worm, lice (crustaceans)
Bacterial Diseases:
- Fin rot, mouth rot, gill disease, ulcers, red pest disease
Fungal Infections:
- Appear as white tufts
- Branchiomyces affects gills and is deadly
Viral Pathogens:
- Lymphocystis: White crusty growths
- Carp Pox (Herpes): Papillomatous lesions
Eye Loss:
Common due to injury. Treat with mild salt baths. Watch feeding to ensure injured fish get enough food.
Quarantine Procedures for Black Moor Goldfish
Quarantine new Black Moors for at least two weeks. Assume parasites are present even without symptoms.
- Use mild salt baths
- Treat for flukes and bacterial/fungal issues proactively
Salt also boosts immunity.
Breeding Black Moor Goldfish
Black Moors can breed, but it’s harder than with other goldfish because of their eye shape and swimming style.
Breeding Conditions:
- Use a separate breeding tank with soft plants or spawning mops
- Keep tanks uncluttered (males have trouble finding females)
- Raise water temp gradually to 68–74°F
Identification:
- Males: Develop white tubercles on gills and fins
- Females: Appear slimmer outside breeding season
How to Encourage Breeding:
- Keep one male and one female (or more)
- Slowly raise water temperature to 72–75°F
- Feed protein-rich foods like bloodworms
- Add spawning mops or fine-leaved plants where females can lay eggs
Spawning Process:
- Males chase females during spawning
- Females lay hundreds of eggs
- Remove adults after eggs are laid (they will eat them!)
Raising Fry (Baby Fish):
- Eggs hatch in 3–7 days
- Feed baby brine shrimp or crushed flakes
- Keep fry in a separate tank until they grow
Other Black Goldfish Varieties
Other black-colored goldfish include:
- Orandas
- Lionheads
- Panda Moors: Black fades as they age, turning white
Note: None of these varieties have true telescope eyes like the Black Moor.
Pros & Cons of Owning a Black Moor Goldfish
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Peaceful and easy to care for | Prone to vision issues |
| Can live in room temperature tanks | Delicate eyes need a safe tank setup |
| Good for beginners | Not suitable for fast-moving tankmates |
| Beautiful dark color | Color may fade over time or with age |
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Moor Goldfish
Can Black Moor Goldfish live with other goldfish?
Yes, but only with fancy goldfish that are also slow swimmers, like Orandas, Ryukins, and Lionheads. Avoid fast types like Comets or Common Goldfish, as they outcompete Black Moors for food.
Why is my Black Moor turning gold or orange?
Black Moors may lose their dark coloration due to age, genetics, or warm water temperatures. If your fish shows bronzy or gold patches, it’s likely undergoing a natural color change.
How big do Black Moor Goldfish get?
In a well-maintained aquarium, Black Moors can grow up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) in body length. With excellent care, they may reach even larger sizes in outdoor ponds.
Do Black Moor Goldfish need a heater?
Not always. If kept indoors at room temperature (above 60°F / 16°C), a heater isn’t necessary. However, avoid cold temperatures below 45°F (7°C) to prevent health issues like swim bladder disorder.
Are Black Moors hard to take care of?
No, they’re considered easy to moderate to care for. Just ensure clean water, a varied diet, and safe tank décor to avoid eye injuries. They are more delicate than common goldfish but hardier than some other fancy varieties.
Final Thoughts
With this complete care guide, your Black Moor Goldfish can thrive, live long, and bring beauty andu niqueness to your aquarium. Just remember: soft décor, slow friends, and a healthy, varied diet are the secrets to a happy Moor.
The Black Moor Goldfish is a wonderful choice for beginners and collectors alike. With proper care, a peaceful tank, and a balanced diet, these gentle fish can live long and healthy lives — becoming the centerpiece of your aquarium.
Their mysterious look, flowing fins, and calm behavior make them one of the most loved fancy goldfish breeds in the world.
