Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Goldfish > Black Moor Goldfish

Black Moor Goldfish

Family: Cyprinidae

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Carassius auratus auratus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Black Moor Goldfish is basically a black version of the Telescope Goldfish, though the eyes usually don't protrude as far as they do on the Telescope!

   Rather than having the long slender body of the Common Goldfish or the Shubunkins, The Black Moor Goldfish is one of the more rounded or egg-shaped fancy gold fish. The rounded body shape of this beautiful goldfish is enhanced by large bulbous eyes protruding out on the sides of its head, metallic scales that give it a deep velvety black color, and long flowing finnage. Their hardiness and ability to live in cold temperatures makes them ideal pets.They are very popular gold fish and are found in collectors tanks throughout the world.

   The Black Moor is basically a black version of the Telescope Goldfish though its eyes don't protrude quite as far. These eyes have given rise to some descriptive names for this fish, such as the Dragon Eye Goldfish and Black Peony Goldfish. Juveniles are a dark bronze and without the protruding eyes, but as they mature they become black and their eyes begin to telescope. Most Black Moors stay black but their color can change with age, ranging from gray to black, or they can revert to a metallic orange when kept in warmer water. Though they once were available with a beautiful veil-tail, the specimens available today will have either a broad tail, ribbon tail, or butterfly tail.

   Black Moor Goldfish along with two other egg-shaped goldfish, the Fantail Goldfish and the Ryukin Goldfish, are recommended for the beginner, but unlike the Fantail and the Ryukin, the Black Moor must not be kept with highly competitive tank mates. These three varieties of goldfish along with the Common Goldfish, Comet Goldfish, the Shubunkin, are all considered good beginner goldfish. This is because they are hardy and can tolerate temperatures a few degrees above freezing, as long as the cooling drops only a few degrees a day.

   For most of these goldfish, their hardiness and ability to live at colder temperatures makes them ideal for outdoor ponds as well. The Black Moor is the only possible exception to this, not because it lacks hardiness but because of its telescopic eyes. Its eyes cause it to have poor vision so it is not a good competitor for food, and they are subject to injury and infection. None of these hardy fish are really good companions for the Black Moor because they are all too competitive during feeding time. Better tank mates would be the similarly handicapped but less hardy Telescope Goldfish, Celestial Goldfish, and Water Bubble-Eye Goldfish.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Goldfish, a wild carp originally known by such names as the Crucian Carp, Gibel Carp, or Golden Carp, was described by Linnaeus in 1758. They originated in Asia; Central Asia and China. These fish inhabit the slow moving and stagnant waters of rivers, lakes, ponds, and ditches feeding on plants, detritus, small crustaceans, and insects.
   In the early 1600's these fish were exported first to Japan and then to Europe and were developed into the wonderful colors and forms of gold fish we see today. Today domesticated goldfish are distributed world-wide.
   The Black Moor Goldfish is a black version of the Telescope Goldfish which was believed to be developed in China in the early 1700's. It was known as the Dragon Eyes or the Dragon Fish. In the later part of the 1700's it was produced in Japan where it is known as the Demekin. The Black Moor is also referred to as the Dragon Eye Goldfish as well as the Black Peony Goldfish and the Black Demekin. It is one of the more than 125 captive bred fancy gold fish varieties.

Status:
   This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List, and presumably there are no wild populations of this captive bred variety.

Description:
   The Black Moor Goldfish is an egg-shaped variety of goldfish. The body is short and stubby and the head has large bulbous eyes protruding out on the sides. It has metallic scales that give it a deep velvety black color and it has long flowing finnage. Most Black Moors stay black but their color can change with age, ranging from gray to black, or they can revert to a metallic orange when kept in warmer water. Juveniles are a dark bronze and without the protruding eyes, but as they mature they become black and their eyes begin to telescope. Though they once were available with a beautiful veil-tail, the varieties available today will have either a broad tail, ribbon tail, or butterfly tail.

Size - Weight:
   Black Moor Goldfish will generally reach about 4 inches (10 cm), though some hobbyist report their Black Moors reaching up to a whopping 10" (25 cm)!

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous, the Black Moor Goldfish will generally eat all kinds of fresh, frozen, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. To care for your Black Moor Goldfish feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), blood worms, Daphnia, or tubifex worms as a treat. It is usually better to feed freeze-dried foods as opposed to live foods to avoid parasites and bacterial infections that could be present in live foods. Due to the protruding eyes they have poor vision and a harder time seeing their food, so need extra time to feed. When it comes to feeding, they will not thrive well with fast competitive tank mates.
   Black Moor Goldfish are some of the hardier species of goldfish. They are very undemanding of water quality and temperature. They can do well in a fishbowl, an aquarium, or even a pond if the environment is safe and their tank mates are not competitive. Many people will keep goldfish in small one or two gallon bowls with no heater or filtration. But for the best success in keeping goldfish, provide them the same filtration, especially biological filtration, that other aquarium residents enjoy.
   The shape and size of the aquarium is important and depends upon the number of fish you are going to keep. Goldfish need a lot of oxygen and produce a lot of waste.

• A large surface area of water will help minimize goldfish suffering from an oxygen shortage. Surface area is determined by the shape of the tank. For the same volume of water, an elongated tank offers more surface area (and oxygen) than a tall tank. In a fish bowl, filling the bowl to the middle offers more surface area (and oxygen) than filling the bowl to the top. Always provide the maximum amount of surface area.
• Providing a large amount of water per fish will help dilute the amount of waste and reduce the number of water changes needed.
• A general rule of thumb for young fish only is: 1 inch of fish (2.54 cm) per 1 gallon of water. This rule applies only to young fish and is not adequate as they grow. Larger gold fish consume much more oxygen than young fish so maintaining this formula for growing fish will stunt them, and can contribute to disease and even death.
• Keep the tank size and shape in mind when you are buying your fish. To allow for growth, either buy fewer fish than the maximum number of fish (based on the above formula) or be prepared to get a larger tank.

   Because goldfish produce a lot of waste, good filtration is very helpful in maintaining the water quality of the aquarium. Regular weekly water changes of 1/4 to 1/3 is strongly recommended to keep these fish healthy. Be careful when netting these fish, as their eyes are easily damaged.
   Use a gravel substrate. You can add some decor but keep in mind that its eyes are a handicap, and these fish have very poor vision. Make sure that all ornamentation is smooth with no protruding points or sharp edges. Plants would be the best choice but this fish is a digger, so live plants may be uprooted. Artificial plants make a good substitute and silk plants are safer than plastic ones. Other decor, such as smooth rocks or driftwood, should be used sparingly if at all. A cover for the tank is desirable as it reduces evaporation and though they are not prone to jumping, on occasion some gold fish will jump out. Most aquariums come with a cover that includes lighting. It is not essential for goldfish, but will help if you have live plants.
   Goldfish are subject to the same diseases as tropical fish. A couple of the more common problems are Ich, Swim Bladder disease, and external parasites including flukes, lice and anchor worms. To learn about these and other diseases and how to treat them see: Aquarim Fish Diseases & Treatments.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   The Black Moor Goldfish are one of the most hardy varieties of goldfish and can tolerate temperatures a few degrees above freezing, as long as the cooling drops only a few degrees a day. A quick temperature drop can kill them, so if you live in a very cold climate a heater is advisable.
   Temp: Goldfish are a cold water fish and will do best at temperatures between 65 - 72° F (18°- 22° C)
   Hardness: 5 - 19° dGH
   Ph: 6.0 to 8.0

Social Behaviors:
   Goldfish are very social animals and thrive in a community. Not only are they a great community fish but they are great scavengers as well. The Black Moor Goldfish, along with the Telescope Goldfish and the Celestial Goldfish, are all visually handicapped. They cannot readily compete for food with other types of goldfish so should may not fare well if housed with them, but they will do well housed together. It is really not necessary to add other scavengers or other bottom feeders to the aquarium when you have goldfish.

Sexual Differences:
   Although is it impossible to sex Goldfish when they are young and not in breeding season, the male is usually smaller and more slender that the female. In the breeding season the male has white prickles, called breeding tubercles, on its gill covers and head. Seen from above the female will have a fatter appearance as she is carrying eggs.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Buy Black Moor Goldfish From LiveAquaria.com

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Black Moor Goldfish are egg layers that spawn readily in the right conditions. See Breeding Freshwater Fish - Goldfish for more information on breeding Goldfish.

Availability:
   The Black Moor Goldfish is readily available and is fairly inexpensive.

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Latest Comments
I have a black moor and I love her so much. She's the cutest thing and she loves playing in the current of my filter! She is paired in a tank with a comet goldfish, they get along really well and I'm so happy to own fish, they're such a wonder! india 2009-11-04
I just got my Black Moor today and I named him Turbo. He's for my science project and he shares a tank with my sister's Orange-capped Goldfish named Max. lol Max Turbo :p :) david 2009-10-25
I've had my Black Moor for almost two years. His name is Snoopy = ) He's so hyper, I love it! I baby talk to him and he gets so excited and will follow my finger when I talk to him. He's so much fun! I spoil the heck out of him! Isela 2009-10-14
My water must be a bit too warm, my beautiful black moor is 98 percent orange, black eyes and fin tips are black but the rest bright orange, still love him just the same. I have had him for about 2 years now chris 2009-10-13
I have a black moor called 'boogley eye' hes the best :D Louise 2009-09-30
Some of the coolest comments:
Moor Goldfish Owners, please do not put your moor in a tank with anything other than another Moor. If you are extremely experienced then disregard as you know what types can live in harmony. Moors are my favorite:) It makes me ill when I hear "I just bought a new moor goldfish and put him in a bowl" Or " my other fish nip my moor and scare him to the other side of the tank" Or "My moor is in a 3 gallon tank". These fish CANNOT compete with anyother fish for food. If you think it is funny when your other fish nip at him try putting a pitbull in your bedroom and when ever you try to sleep it bites you. This is what your putting your Moor goldfish through. They are not athletes and their eyesite is poor but they have the best personalities of all fish I have owned. To kill a fish out of ignorance is still your fault. If you have killed more than 2 fish then pick a different hobby. Fish are not for children. If you are too busy to change 20% of the water each week then get a betta. If you do not have the money for a filter that is $20-$30 then go get a betta. If you do not have the money to buy your moor antibiotics or melafix or other remedies when it gets sick then you should not have a fish. MOOR GOLDFISH ARE THE MOST DELICATE FISH. DO NOT GET A MOOR GOLDFISH IF YOU HAVE NEVER HAD A FISH BEFORE. Start with a Betta, or a NON-FANCY Goldfish. Regular old goldfish are very very hearty as are Bettas. These are fish you can put in a 3 gallon tank and feed and have very little responsibility. Laylovv 2009-10-31
I have a Black Moor and a Fantail Goldfish in a 12 gallon eclipse tank. I had lots of problems with the tap water I used. Even with chemicals I got red algae, but the fish still thrived, very hearty. I started using the filtered water from the fridge and still adding chemicals, and the results are fantastic, didn't know my tap water was so bad. So if you are having problems in your tank and chemicals are not working try filtered water. Both fish get along great, I really love to see them sleeping in the back corner of the tank side by side. They get all excited when ever we come over to the tank. Can't say enough good things about the Black Moor. chris 2009-08-22
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
I thought my black moor goldfish, Gamma, was sick. But thanks to this site I realized he is a healthy, happy, fish. Thank you! Emmy 2009-01-24
HI, my husband and I have 2 Black Moors and we totally love them. We don't have any children yet and these two our like our "kids". Blueberry (nickname is Bloob) is the oldest and is about 3 inches including his beautful long tail, and Downy is about 2 inches and a bit chubbier. They have so much personality and get along so well together (they're the only ones in our 10 gallon tank and we plan to keep it that way!). They always swim over to the front of the tank when I am near and they let me touch them...they come right over to me and brush up against me. We have been very careful to keep smooth black sand and only a few silk plants in their aquarium and they have been doing great for a year now! Thank you so much for you website it has given us so much info! blackmoorsmomma 2008-12-16
Hi, I have or OWN one Black Moor, Golden Fantail, and Red Cap Oranda. I got them on January 19,2007. I love touching fish [though I cant hold the B.M.]. My Black Moor is about 5in, the Oranda is 3in, and the Fantail is 4in. They're that big because of your guide thanks! Fantandoor 2008-12-05

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Author: David Brough. CFS.