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Black moor goldfish or black telescope fish is the black variety of the telescope fish, originating in the 1400s in China. Their pair of protruding eyes alongside a black body earns them the name black telescope. A product of selective breeding by the Chinese, this species was traded in Japan in the 1500s and also entered the U.S. markets in the 1800s. Their striking appearance, hardy nature, and gentle demeanor make them an adorable aquarium fish.
| Scientific Name | Carassius auratus |
| Other Names | Black telescope, moors, blackamoors, black demekin, black peony goldfish, dragon eye goldfish |
| Origin | China |
| Type | Freshwater fish |
| Conservation Status | Not recorded |
| Breed Standards | BAS |
| Behavioral Characteristics | Peaceful and timid with a slow gait |
| School Size | 3 – 4 |
| Physical Traits | Resembles the fan-tailed goldfish in many aspects; Has short, egg-shaped bodies; large eyes, protruding from both sides of the head; long, flowing finnage; and broad, butterfly or ribbon-shaped tails |
| Scales | Deep, and metallic, with a velvety black hue |
| Colors | Adults: Light gray or dark black but do not remain the same lifelong; may have a rust underbelly or orange patches throughout the body with maturation Juveniles: Bronze body, that eventually changes as they grow |
| Size (How big do they get) | Medium; 4 – 10 inches (10.16 – 25.4 cm) |
| Lifespan (How long do they live) | 10 – 15 years |
| Sexual Dimorphism | Present; Males: Pronounced ridge running through the rear end of its pelvic fins to the opening of its vent; firm abdomen; known to develop tiny, white bumps called breeding tubercles on its pectoral fins during the mating season; Females: Smaller or less pronounced ridge or no ridge at all; breeding tubercles seen only in rare circumstances |
| Probable Diseases | Several eye problems like cloudy eyes, popeye disease, and dropsy, as well as ich, and swim bladder disease |
| Approximate Price (How much is it for) | $7 – 20 |
| Care Level | Beginners |
| Tank Size | 20 gallon (75.7 liters) for a single fish |
Water Parameters
| pH Level | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Temperature | 65 – 72 °F (18 – 22°C) |
| Hardness | 6 – 18 dGH |
| Aquarium Water Flow | Slow |
Tank Ambience
| Lighting | Bright (as they turn pale without proper light) |
| Substrate Type | Sand, gravel, and pebbles (to hide) |
| Tank Mates | Compatible with: Molly, neon tetra, zebra danios, cherry barb, dwarf gourami, glass catfish, angelfish, kuhli loach, bristlenose pleco, fantail goldfish, as well as other black moor goldfish species; invertebrates like the ghost and cherry shrimps, though with supervision Incompatible with: Aggressive territorial fish such as the oscar and few others from the cichlid family, and also those with a tendency to nip at fins |
| Suitable Position in the Tank | Bottom |
Feeding
| Diet (What to feed them) | Flakes, and pellets; live or frozen tubifex, bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp as a treat; vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, and spinach |
| Frequency | 2 times a day |
Yes, the black moor goldfish has a poor vision because of its protruding eyes.
Yes, the black moor gold fish’s eyes, like other goldfish species, can fall when the blood vessels swell. The primary reason for this is trauma due to improper water conditions alongside other factors.
