Black Moor Goldfish Care: Size, Lifespan, Diet, Tank Mates & Tank Setup

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Looking to make a unique and colorful addition to your freshwater aquarium? The Black Moor Goldfish is a type of Fancy Goldfish that can immediately diversify the beauty of your freshwater aquarium.

The unique appearance of this fish species makes it a popular choice for tank owners across the globe. If you are looking for a peaceful, colorful, and unique fish to introduce to your aquarium family, this glowing Goldfish might work for your home tank.

These species are also a great choice for freshwater tank beginners. They are not aggressive, they are easy to feed, and they are easy to keep in good health.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about caring for the bold-colored yet mild-mannered Black Moor Goldfish. From the perfect tank setup to the right diet, you’ll learn how to take care of your Goldfish for years to come.

Quick Facts:
Common Names	: Black Moor Goldfish, Moors
Scientific Name	: Carassius Auratus
Family	: Cyprinidae
Origin	: Rivers and lakes in China
Care Level	: Easy
Lifespan	: 10 - 15 years
Size (average)	: 6 - 8 inches long
Diet	: Omnivores
Breeding	: Egglayer
Social	: Swim in groups
Temperament	: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size	: 20 gallons
Temperature	: 50 - 75° F (20 - 28° C)
Water Hardness	: 5 - 19 dGH
Water pH Level	: 6 - 8

Table of Contents

Overview of Black Moor Goldfish

This fish is a calm and darkly-colored fish descended from rivers and lakes in China. Originally part of the common Carp family, it was bred for its colors and size to become the breed that it is today.

While it is related to common Goldfish, they actually belong to a subspecies known as Fancy Goldfish. There are numerous varieties of Goldfish found both in the wild and in captivity.

But the Black Moor Goldfish really stands out because of its telescope-like eyes. Other nicknames for this fish include Moors, Demekin, Telescopes, Telescope Eyes, and Dragon Eyes.

Black Moor Goldfish Size

A Black Moor Goldfish size can grow between 6 to 8 inches in length. Many aquarium owners have noticed that Black Moor Goldfish size can grow even longer, especially when they are well-fed and placed in wonderful conditions.

Black Moor Goldfish Lifespan

The average Black Moor Goldfish lifespan is from 10 to 15 years. But some claimed that we can keep this up to 18 years with good care and optimal tank conditions.

The Black Moor Goldfish lifespan depends on the tank environment they live in, such as tank size, diet, and tank mates.

Typical Behavior

Like most Goldfish, this fish is very peaceful and non-aggressive. They can even be timid when they are around much larger fish.

If you want some peaceful and colorful additions to your tank that won’t disrupt the harmony of your other fish, this can be a good choice for beginners and experts alike.

When they are happy, they can even be playful! While they do not swim fast, they can swim in beautiful or intriguing patterns. Their large round eyes also make them stand out from the crowd.

They enjoy mid-levels of water, so it is important to take into consideration the size of your tank before you invest in these fish species. As long as you can provide a peaceful environment, your fish can be less stressed.

Any situations of stress will cause the fish to hide behind plants or under a rock. It could take time to coax them back into their surroundings. Most Black Moor Goldfish are fine on their own kind.

In fact, if your tank is a smaller size, you might want to keep it to just a single Goldfish. Not only because each fish needs enough space to swim around, but also because Goldfish are slow swimmers and cannot compete for their food.

Too many Goldfish in a cramped space will cause them to receive insufficient amounts of food, leading to health problems and other stressful situations.

Large tanks can easily accommodate more Goldfish, however. If you do plan on keeping these fish in groups, they will start to shoal. This means that they swim together as a group for security. This is also their way of being social.

It’s important to note that these species do not thrive in school to survive. Choosing one Goldfish or a group of Goldfish really must be determined by the size of your tank, availability of food, and conditions under which the fish will be kept.

Black Moor Goldfish Appearance

Black Moor Goldfish stand out amongst other Goldfish species because of their coloring and size. You might find interesting differences between these fish if you plan on purchasing more than one. Some other characteristics make this fish unique as well.

The body of this fish resembles that of most Goldfish. A deep and bulbous body is accompanied by giant, bubbly, telescope-like eyes. The eyes are one of the most noticeable features of this fish due to their size and roundness.

Both the body and the eyes of this species are black in color, as its name would suggest. However, many types of Black Moor Goldfish have a little bit of gold on the body or tail as well.

There are long, flowing fins and a delicate tail on the fish, making it one of the most beautiful choices for any kind of freshwater aquarium tank. While most fins are veiled, some might be thin or broad like a fan.

When they are born, Black Moor Goldfish looks dark grey or pure black. As they age, they do not often remain pure black; instead, they start to develop colors of rust or gold on their underbelly. These colors can extend to the head, fin, or tail as well.

The black color is what makes them special and it is definitely what sets them apart from other types of Goldfish. The black color is the special marking that freshwater tank owners look for in a new fish.

Black Moor Goldfish Care

One thing that is so easy about taking care of Black Moor Goldfish is that you don’t really have to simulate the wild to make them comfortable.

With no natural habitat, most Goldfish exist as a result of years of breeding in aquariums, and so most modern species of Goldfish aren’t even found in the wild.

In addition to finding the right size and suitable water amounts for your aquarium, keep the following needs in mind:

Goldfish cannot survive in an aquarium without a proper filter, which is used to keep the water and tank environment clean. However, you do not need a water pump or air pump for these particular fish.
Standard lights that are recommended with your aquarium should work just fine for your fish.
These fish don’t need a ton of space to swim around, but they might need to hide every so often. Feel free to add plenty of decorations or rocks that can be used as good hiding spots.

Depending on the size of your tank, you might be able to add multiple Black Moor Goldfish to your aquarium at once.

– Black Moor Goldfish Tank Size

Your aquarium should be at least 20 gallons in size to suit one Black Moor Goldfish. They might not seem like large fish, but they have long-flowing tails and fins that do need a lot of water to swim around in.

Want to add more than one Black Moor Goldfish to your tank? Add 10 gallons per fish! And of course, you should not add them in a round glass bowl like you often see goldfish in on TV shows.

A regular tank with a filtration system and a lid are most suitable for this fish.

– Black Moor Goldfish Tank Setup

These species can survive in a tank with just about anything. From rocks to sand, as long as it is fit for your other fish, it will likely be good enough for your Goldfish. Just remember not to put plastic or manmade plants into your aquarium.

Substrate:

Just about any kind of substrate will do for your aquarium. Black Moor Goldfish rarely swim around at the bottom of the tank; since it’s a place they rarely visit, you can add substrate that works well with all of the fish in your tank.

Small pebbles or gravel substrates might be a good idea for species that are known to hide.

Decorations

It might be a good idea to place a few items here and there throughout the aquarium, especially at varying heights. Your Black Moor Goldfish will need spaces to hide out and rest, so some rocks or props can certainly do the trick.

– Water Conditions

Water is the most important part of survival for all fish. Dirty and unclean water that has contaminants floating in it will cause your fish to get sick, which could kill them off more easily.

The Black Moor Goldfish is sensitive to water conditions and can only thrive in well-filtered water. This is why having a filtration system is so crucial.

The water must also be kept at a certain temperature and with a certain acidity level so your fish can feel healthy in their home environment.

Water Temperature:

These species thrive in water with temperatures that remain between 50 to 75 ℉. Fortunately, they are not the pickiest of fish, so as long as you keep the temperature within a moderate range, they should be comfortable.

You do need a tank heater to keep your Goldfish warm only if you are living in colder countries.

Water Hardness:

The Black Moor Goldfish is comfortable within a wide range of water hardness levels. Anything between 5 to 19 dGH (degrees of general hardness) will work just fine for just about any Goldfish breed.

Water Acidity:

It is important to keep up a balance of acidity and hardness when managing these delicate fish. Acidity levels should be kept between 6 to 8 pH, which is at a fairly neutral level of acidity. Too much acidity could make it difficult for your fish to breathe or thrive.

Water Testing:

Make sure to test all of the above water levels and conditions regularly. If you don’t have one already, you should invest in a water testing kit so you have all of the basics of water testing at your disposal.

– Suitable Plants for Your Black Moor Goldfish

Again, this fish will need some places to hide, as they don’t always feel comfortable out in the open. Plants like Hornwort and Java moss are a good idea because they are soft and diet-friendly.

Goldfish get caught on sharp objects too easily, so it’s important that nothing in their environment can harm their fins. Free-floating plants work great as well.

Black Moor Goldfish also like to nibble on plants, so you might want to double-check that all of your aquarium plants are safe to eat. They do not eat plants often, but you will find them snacking on them from time to time.

This is also why you should never put plastic plants in an aquarium with your Goldfish. They might eat some plastic parts which can harm them greatly.

Black Moor Goldfish Diet and Feeding

These species survive almost entirely on plant matter. However, they are actually omnivores. This means they can eat both meat and plants. While there is a wide variety of things you can feed them, certain food substances are better than others.

You will have an easy time feeding them because they can survive on a lot of things that you will be feeding your other freshwater fish.

Whether by food pellet or flake, you can find nutrient-rich foods to feed your Black Moor Goldfish. They will eat anything small enough to fit into their mouths, especially:

Mosquito Larvae
Broken up vegetation
Vegetable matter
Small insects
Tadpoles

In addition to their regular nutrients, you can supplement their diet with additional sources of food. From time to time, you can indulge them with treats such as:

Make sure your fish is getting plenty of greenery as well. Vegetables with high fiber like Spinach and Kale might be a good choice that can help the digestive system. Your fish love the taste and it keeps them healthy.

Feeding Routine

It’s important not to overfeed your fish. They only need to be fed twice a day, and only with small amounts of food. It has to be just enough that it will only take them a few minutes to eat.

Since these Goldfish are not very fast swimmers, they cannot easily become aggressive and compete with other fish for their food.

They need access to a little bit of food close by that they can eat and then move on without having to worry about their portion being stolen. Too much food in the tank can cause a frenzy, making fish overeat.

You want to avoid stressful situations like this as much as possible.

Common Diseases and Prevention

These species can stay in good health as long as they live in a filtered aquarium with high-quality conditions. There are a few common illnesses or diseases that all species of Goldfish are susceptible to, including the Black Moor Goldfish.

Swim Bladder

A swim bladder is an infection that affects the fish’s ability to swim. This fish affected by the swim bladder infection will either be sitting at the bottom of the tank or floating very close to the surface.

You can get rid of this illness by not feeding the fish for 24 hours and then introducing more fibers into its diet.

Velvet Disease

Velvet disease is a skin disease that Goldfish can get as a cause of bacteria or parasites. This disease might show up as spots or discoloration on the body. There are over-the-counter medications to help fish with skin diseases.

*Prevention**

Black Moor Goldfish can be susceptible to many diseases because of their anatomy. Their round body makes them poor swimmers and their big eyes do not have very good vision.

Their organs are squished into the front of their body, which could make it easier for them to contract diseases. Being aware of this can help prevent these diseases from occurring.

Keeping the tank clean and giving your fish a well-rounded diet is the key to keeping them healthy.

Gender Differences

It is very difficult to determine the sex of a Black Moor Goldfish except during mating season. The male will start to circle a female fish for several days before the mating process begins.

There are little to no visual or size differences between male and female fish.

Black Moor Goldfish Breeding

Like most fish, this species is triggered to mate during the spring. You can easily breed them in your tank without needing to have any prior experience, but you’ll have to make sure the conditions are just right.

Replicate the spring by slightly raising the temperature in your tank. You can increase it to about 3℉ every day (as long as it doesn’t go over 75℉).

Eventually, your Goldfish will lay up to 10,000 eggs over the surfaces of the tank. Make sure you remove your other fish from the tank so they don’t eat the eggs.

When the eggs hatch, feed the fry an iron-rich diet. As they grow, they will be able to eat the same food as the adults; at that point, the other fish can be reintroduced into the tank.

Best Black Moor Goldfish Tank Mates

These species get along easily with many other freshwater species, making them a fairly easy addition to any kind of at-home tank.

Whether you are an experienced aquarist looking to diversify your fish tank, the Black Moor Goldfish accommodate your needs.

Other peaceful and small fish are good tank mates for these species – as long as they aren’t so small that your Goldfish can eat them. Here’s an example of some good tank mates:

There are some similar species you might want to keep away from your Black Moor Goldfish, however. You can’t mix these fish with aggressive or carnivorous fish, no matter their size.

Make sure to do your own research on species that get along with your Black Moor Goldfish before adding it to your aquarium. As long as your fish can live in harmony with one another, you should have a healthy and beautiful tank full of marine life.

Origin, Distribution, and Availability

While there is not a great amount of information known about the origin of the Black Moor Goldfish, sources trace this fish in the wild as far back as the 1400s in China.

They descended from the Silver Prussian Carp in the wild. Throughout the following centuries, they were traded across Asia and eventually across the whole world, used for food or breeding.

By the 1800s, this Goldfish species made its way to the United States, where it became a popular aquarium addition. By that point, this fish was known to have been selectively bred in China for its traits.

That is why there is no trace of this exact subspecies in the wild. You can find this fish in any pet store. There might be certain varieties of these Goldfish that you are looking for which might require you to search further.

However, you can usually find this fish anywhere for a very cheap price.

FAQs

Are Black Moor Goldfish Aggressive?

These fish species are incredibly peaceful. They can run and hide if they become stressed, but they will rarely become aggressive toward other fish.

They can be quite skittish, and it might take some time for them to become comfortable with their tank mates. Make sure to accommodate for the timidness of these fish when you first acquire them.

While Black Moor Goldfish can thrive on their own, placing them in small groups might help them adjust to your home aquarium more quickly.

Are Black Moor Goldfish Fin Nippers?

This fish will not nip the fins of other fish in the aquarium. Because they are so afraid, they would rather try to escape than initiate a fight. However, in times of high stress, or when provoked by a boisterous fish, the Goldfish can lash out.

This fish has a small mouth and is not a very effective bite. You do not have to worry about your other fish having their fins nipped by a Black Moor Goldfish.

Can Black Moor Goldfish Live with Goldfish?

As this fish is a type of Goldfish, it can very easily live with other types of Goldfish as well as its own kind. Many Goldfish are very similar in anatomy, diet, and tank condition requirements, making it easy to add a variety of Goldfish to your beautiful aquarium.

Any Goldfish breed that size between 5 to 8 inches would be a great companion for a Black Moor Goldfish.

How Many Black Moor Goldfish Should be Kept Together?

You can keep one Goldfish in a tank by itself and it will not struggle to survive. Most Goldfish species are fairly independent and do not require a social group of others in order to thrive.

However, you can easily keep more than one Black Moor Goldfish in your tank if you want to. As long as you have the tank size to accommodate it (over 20 gallons at least), you can add multiple Goldfish together.

When together, these fish will shoal, so you can rest assured that they get along easily with their own kind. It is a beautiful sight, but not completely necessary for their survival.

Final Thoughts

The Black Moor Goldfish has been a popular choice for small and large freshwater aquariums alike. For years, people have chosen this species of Fancy Goldfish to add to their tanks as the perfect complement to the fish they already have.

Peaceful, graceful, beautiful, and easygoing, this fish can be a good choice for your tank’s next family member. The most important part of taking care of a Goldfish is keeping the tank water clean.

With a decent filter and a water testing kit, you can ensure that your water environment is always fit for one or more Goldfish. No extra requirements, no special conditions, and no stressful maintenance needs.

Add this beautiful and simple Goldfish to your tank now and watch how easily your fish can become diversified. After reviewing this guide, you can see just how easy it is to care for the Black Moor Goldfish.

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