The black moor goldfish is a black, telescope-eyed fancy goldfish and a color variety of the telescope goldfish.
Most common goldfish are orange, white, or red. The black moor’s velvety black body and bulging eyes set it apart. It is peaceful and hardy, but it needs a bigger tank, cooler water, and more careful tank mates than most beginners expect.
Black moor goldfish need at least 20 gallons for one fish and about 10 more gallons for each extra goldfish. Keep the water at roughly 60–75°F with a pH of 6.5–7.5, and house them only with other slow, round-bodied fancy goldfish. Adults reach about 5–8 inches and commonly live 10–15 years.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Black Moor Goldfish Facts & Overview
- What do black moor goldfish look like?
- How do you take care of black moor goldfish?
- What are the best tank mates for black moor goldfish?
- What do black moor goldfish eat?
- How do you breed black moor goldfish?
- Is a black moor goldfish right for you?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Black Moor Goldfish Facts & Overview
| Scientific name: | Carassius auratus |
| Common names: | Black moor goldfish, black telescope goldfish, dragon eye goldfish, black peony goldfish, black demekin |
| Distribution: | Man-made variety, developed in China |
| Size: | 5–8 inches (occasionally up to 10) |
| Life expectancy: | 10–15 years (some reach 20) |
| Color: | Solid black, sometimes with gold or orange patches |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Temperament: | Peaceful, slow, poor eyesight |
| Minimum tank size: | 20 gallons for one fish, plus 10 gallons per extra goldfish |
| Temperature: | 60–75°F (16–24°C) |
| pH: | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness: | 5–15 dGH |
| Care level: | Easy |
| Breeding: | Egg scatterer (sticky eggs on plants) |
Where do black moor goldfish come from?
Black moors are a man-made fancy goldfish variety, commonly said to have been developed in China around the 1400s. They were first called “dragon eyes” or “dragon fish,” and they reached the United States in the 1800s. They are a black form of the telescope goldfish, so they have no natural habitat of their own. Their ancestors are carp-like fish from slow, still waters.
How big do black moor goldfish get?
Adults are typically 5 to 8 inches long, and some reach 10 inches. They grow for several years, so a small fish from the store will not stay small. Males tend to be slimmer than females.
On average, a black moor lives for 10 to 15 years, and some keepers report 20 years with excellent care.
Where can you buy a black moor goldfish?
Black moors are less common than basic goldfish because they are a specialty variety. Local stores sometimes stock them, and online sellers are the easiest option. Prices usually run a few dollars to about ten dollars for a young fish, depending on the seller.
Reputable online stores include:
What do black moor goldfish look like?
The black moor is a rounded, deep-bodied fancy goldfish with a double tail and large, protruding eyes. It is a slow swimmer and has weak eyesight.
Why is my black moor changing color?
Young black moors are often bronze, gray, or gold, and the black develops as they mature. Black is an unstable color in goldfish, so some fish stay partly orange or bronze, and some turn orange or lighten with age. Warm water, bright light, and diet can all affect color. Poor water quality or disease, such as velvet, can make a fish look pale or dull.
How can you tell male and female black moors apart?
There is little difference outside spawning season. Females are rounder and deeper-bodied, especially when full of eggs. When males are ready to spawn, they develop tiny white bumps called breeding stars (tubercles) on the gill covers, and often on the pectoral fins. These show clearly against black skin.
How do black moor goldfish behave?
Black moors are peaceful, slow swimmers that do not defend territory. They swim mostly in the middle of the tank and forage along the bottom. Because their eyesight is poor, they can bump into decorations and miss food that drifts past. They are active in the day and rest at night.
How do you take care of black moor goldfish?
Black moors are hardy, but they are messy. They produce a lot of waste, so they need strong filtration, regular water changes, and a roomy tank. Their poor eyesight and delicate eyes mean the tank setup matters.
What size tank does a black moor goldfish need?
The minimum for one black moor is 20 gallons, with 10 or more gallons added for each additional goldfish. Some keepers go higher, because adults are heavy-bodied and produce a lot of waste. A few sources suggest smaller tanks (about 10 gallons for one fish), but those leave little room for water quality to stay stable as the fish grows.
Choose a wide tank rather than a tall one. A wider tank gives more surface area for oxygen and is easier for slow, round-bodied fish to move around in. Use a filter rated above your tank size, with enough surface movement to oxygenate the water.
What should you put in a black moor tank?
Black moor goldfish have no natural habitat of their own, so the goal is a safe tank. Use a layer of smooth sand or rounded gravel, and keep all decorations smooth. Their eyes are easy to scratch, so avoid sharp rocks, spiky plastic plants, and rough ornaments.
Hardy plants like Java fern and hornwort work well, though goldfish may nibble them. Caves, smooth rocks, and themed decorations like miniature castles and shipwrecks can also be used if they are smooth and not tight enough to trap a fish.
What water conditions do black moor goldfish need?
Ideal tank conditions for black moor goldfish are:
| Water type: | Neutral, slow-moving freshwater |
| Tank size: | Minimum 20 gallons and an extra 10 gallons per additional black moor goldfish |
| Water temperature: | 60–75°F |
| Substrate: | Fine gravel or sand |
| Tank setup: | Smooth rocks and caves, hardy plants such as Java fern and hornwort |
| Acidity: | 6.5–7.5 pH |
| Water hardness: | 5–15 dGH |
| Filter: | Yes; strong filtration rated above tank size, with some surface movement |
| Bubbler: | Not necessary as long as you have a good filter |
| Lighting: | Standard aquarium lighting on a timer |
| Water heater: | Not necessary in most homes; only if the room drops below the low 60s °F |
Black moors are a coldwater fish, so most homes do not need a heater. A range of about 60–75°F suits them. Some sources allow up to 80°F, but warm water raises their oxygen needs and shortens a fancy goldfish’s life. The pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline, at about 6.5–7.5. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and nitrate below about 50 ppm.
Change roughly 30–50% of the water when nitrate nears 50 ppm.
What diseases do black moor goldfish get?
These health problems come up most with black moors:
Swim Bladder Disease
Swim bladder disease affects a fish’s ability to control its buoyancy. A fish with swim bladder disease floats tail-up or nose-down, sinks to the bottom, or floats to the top of the water.
Round-bodied fancy goldfish are prone to it, and overfeeding and dry food that swells in the gut are common triggers. Many keepers fast the fish for a day or two and then feed soft or soaked foods. If the fish does not recover in several days, consult an aquatic vet.
Eye Damage
The black moor’s eyes protrude from the head, so they are more likely to be scratched or infected. Keep decorations smooth and move the fish gently with a container instead of a net where you can.
If an eye turns cloudy, swollen, or red, fix the water quality and see a vet if it does not improve.
What are the best tank mates for black moor goldfish?
The best tank mates for black moors are other slow, round-bodied fancy goldfish with similar eyesight and swimming speed. Their poor vision and slow swimming mean they lose out to faster fish at feeding time. They can also starve while sharing a tank with quick, normal-eyed goldfish like comets.
Good tank mates for black moor goldfish are:
- Other black moors (buy at least two for companionship)
- Oranda goldfish and other slow, double-tailed fancy goldfish such as ranchu, ryukin, and fantails
- Other telescope goldfish
Can black moor goldfish live with tropical fish?
Usually not. Many lists suggest tropical fish, but goldfish and tropical fish want different temperatures. Fancy goldfish do best around 60–75°F, while most tropical fish need 75–80°F. Goldfish also grow large, eat small fish, and produce much more waste.
Species often suggested, but that are a poor fit for most black moor tanks, include mollies, zebra danios, neon tetras, barbs, dwarf gouramis, catfish, kuhli loaches, and bristlenose plecos. Neon tetras are small enough to be eaten, and fast fish like zebra danios and barbs compete for food.
Which fish should never live with a black moor?
Avoid fin-nipping or aggressive fish like tiger barbs, betta fish, and angelfish. They will harass the black moor’s long fins and eyes, and they need warmer water.
Can you keep black moor goldfish together?
Yes. Black moors are docile and do well in groups of the same variety. Keep at least two and add 10 gallons for each extra fish. Males may chase females during breeding season, so watch for harassment.
What do black moor goldfish eat?
Black moors are omnivores that eat a mix of plant matter and small invertebrates. Feed a quality sinking pellet, flake, or gel food as the staple, because the fish struggle to find floating food they cannot see well. Add live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms a few times a week.
Offer blanched vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, or peas about once a week. Feed small meals twice a day, giving only what the fish eat in about two minutes. Overfeeding causes bloating and swim bladder trouble, and it fouls the water.
How do you breed black moor goldfish?
Breeding black moor goldfish is easy to start but takes space and work. They reach sexual maturity at about one year old, and most breeders wait until they are 18 months to 2 years old for stronger fish.
To breed a pair:
- Set up a separate breeding tank with a sponge filter, spawning mops or fine-leaved plants, and the same water conditions as the home tank.
- Condition a healthy male and female with good food. Raise the temperature gradually toward the mid-70s °F, similar to spring conditions.
- Males chase the female, and nudge her belly. The female scatters sticky eggs on plants and mops.
- The male fertilizes the eggs. Remove both adults afterward, because they will eat the eggs.
- Remove unfertilized eggs, which turn white and fungus over, so they do not foul the water.
- The eggs hatch within about a week, depending on temperature. Feed the fry baby brine shrimp or fine fry food.
A spawning can produce hundreds of eggs or more, so plan for the fry first.
Is a black moor goldfish right for you?
Choose a black moor if you have a roomy tank of 20 gallons or more, and you can keep only slow-moving goldfish with it. It suits keepers who will do regular water changes and keep decorations smooth.
Skip it if you want a fast, active community tank with tropical fish, or if your tank holds fin-nippers and aggressive fish. With clean water, gentle tank mates, and measured feeding, a black moor can live 10 years or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are black moor fish goldfish?
Yes. The black moor is a fancy goldfish (Carassius auratus) and a black color variety of the telescope goldfish. It was bred in China and has no wild form of its own.
Is black moor aggressive?
No. Black moors are peaceful, slow and have poor eyesight. The usual problem is the reverse: faster fish outcompete them for food, and males may chase females during breeding season.
What fish can live with black moor?
Other slow, round-bodied fancy goldfish, such as other black moors, orandas, ranchu, ryukin, fantails and telescope goldfish. They have similar eyesight and swimming speed, and they want the same 60–75°F water. Avoid tropical fish, fin-nippers like tiger barbs, and fast goldfish like comets.
How long does it take for a black moor goldfish to grow?
Several years. Black moors reach sexual maturity at about one year, but keep growing after that to an adult size of 5 to 8 inches (occasionally 10). Plan the tank for the adult size, not the fish you bring home.
Why is my black moor turning orange or gray?
Black is an unstable color in goldfish. Young fish often start bronze or gray and darken, while others lighten or turn orange as they mature. Water quality, light, and temperature can also affect color.
How long do black moor goldfish live?
Most live 10 to 15 years with good care, and some reach 20. Poor water quality and small tanks cut that short.
i have bee keeping end breeding fish for 40 years but i still like seeing this column come into my inbox and enjoy reading it. often i learn something new so keep up the good work!!
Barbs are able to nimble on a long fins of many goldfish varieties, so I would not recommend this combination of fish
Neon tetras need doing great in acidic water, while a goldfish really flourishing in alkaline water. Not a god combination.
Goldfish will most likely finish most if not all live plants in a tank.
Goldfish does not need hiding places, especially telescopes due to their limited vision ability. I have and bred goldfish (and other aquarium fish) most of my life (about 50 years)
One of my black moors has started constantly returning to a certain spot in the tank and just hovering in that spot. It’s almost like he is laying on the gravel. What is this a sign of? Should I be worried about him?
It says 20 gallons. Does that mean 20 gallons per Blackmoor fish?
nope! 20 for the first, then 10 gallons per fish for the rest
Dan black Moores be kept with calicos?
Its been awhile since you posted this comment, but the answer is yes. they can cohabit.
I have had my moor for about seven years and really enjoy him. I clean his tank and he rearranges it how he wants it! I put my hand in the tank and he rubs all over it.he likes when his belly is gently rubbed. He is the best! Him and my cat are good friends. I put him in a large bowl when i clean the tank and put the bowl on the floor and him and the cat watch each other for a while. My cat will go to sleep next to the bowl. Good fish!
Do my black moors need cycling (an air stone, etc) or is the filter enough movement? I’m using the Fluval 306 filter in a 40 gallon breeder tank. The problem is that the filter is at the far end, back of the aquarium so a lot of debris stays at the end away from the filter. It has to remain here because of the stand it is sitting on. I have some stone the size of quarters, more or less, on most, but not all, of the bottom.
Also what brand and size heater(watts) do you recommend to maintain an even temperature. It gets a bit chilly in our upstairs in winter and I want to be sure temperature is not an issue.
I appreciate you help,
Thanks,
Kathy
for your tank i recommend a 200 watt heater and keep it to 60-70 degrees as they like colder temps
I am new to fish keeping
My husband bought me my tank and black 2 moor fish yesterday, and now am doing as much research as I can, I’m very excited.
I have 3 blackmoor goldfish in my 60gal tank and I awsome filter and it has air pumped through it. I know they are surface breathers but they do like to swim and play in the bubbles it’s quite amazing to watch them.
What do you recommend I try for my black moor that is sick. He’s just over 2 1/2 yrs old. The tank he has been in has gotten green algae or mold growth rather quickly lately. He is moved out of there with stress coat & water safe added, but appears very sick. He is at the bottom of the temporary water home he is in & doesn’t appear to have eaten for several days. Not sure what else to try. (Wish I could post a pic)
Prime, Stressguard and kanaplex in baths for 15 minutes daily. do not dose kanaplex in a tank. you can put pellets in the leftover bath water and feed it to the goldfish to allow the medication to enter the body and help that way too.
Can you have 2 black moors in a 20 gallon tank
Great infro thank you
I’ve had my Blackmore for around two years now and have it in a tank with a golden oranda, can someone please tell me how to tell the sex of my fish.
Hi! Thank you for all these informations.. I’ve got 3 Moors recently, and they are around 5cm big. I wonder how fast do they grow up? And is it ok (safe) to add one big Moor or Golden to the aquarium (which is really huge)? Thanks in advance!
I hope I’m doing this right. I’ve had my black moor, Slurpee, for almost four years now. Recently I’ve noticed on his, not sure just calling it a him, pectoral fins bumpy growths that look kind of white on the top but not fuzzy or furry. Neither do they have any open ulcers. He’s not having any problems swimming and isn’t bumping or rubbing against things in the tank he shares with a pleco. Anyone have any ideas on what this might be? Also, he has very long, flowy beautiful tail fins and I’ve yet to see any photos of other moors with fins like his.
It could potentially be ick, and there’s different treatments for it in most pet stores. I used tablets before when I did a sudden tank change due to the previous tank breaking. . Ick can be caused by stress from tank mates, sudden temperature change (especially after water change), or poor living condition
We have a black moor in a 20 gallon tank. He is 2.5 years old and up until this week was sharing with our Oranda (bought the two together in the pet shop not realising that the tank would be too small for them both). All good until about two months ago when he started harassing our female Oranda to the point where we had to take her out. Unfortunately she didn’t make it. He’s on his own in the tank now and for the first day or two he was whizzing around like a crazy thing (missing his tank mate??).
I’m wondering whether to leave him in there on his own or not. I would like to put a couple of tank mates in there but don’t want to have an overcrowded tank either.
have 2 black mores and a regular fantail had 2 babies and was able to help only one survive the baby is now about 11/2 inches not black are orange more of a golden color has fan tail and regular eyes.