Black Moor Goldfish
Carassius auratus var. blackmoor
The velvety, telescope-eyed goldfish that turns heads in any pond or tank.
About
The black moor goldfish (Carassius auratus var. blackmoor) is one of the most recognizable fancy goldfish varieties, instantly identified by its deep, velvety black coloration and dramatically protruding telescope eyes. Unlike most goldfish that may lose or shift color over time, black moors are notable for holding their dark pigmentation well, though some individuals do develop orange or bronze patches as they age, particularly on the belly. This variety has no wild counterpart. It is entirely the product of centuries of selective breeding in East Asia, refined into the round-bodied, flowing-finned form we know today. The telescope eyes are genuinely beautiful but come with a real trade-off: this fish has poor vision compared to slim-bodied goldfish, so sharp decor, aggressive tank mates, and fast feeders at meal time can all cause problems. They do best in a calm community with other fancy goldfish of similar body shape and swimming speed. Black moors are forgiving fish in most respects and a reasonable choice for newer keepers who can commit to proper filtration and regular water changes. Goldfish are messy, and that applies here too. With good care, these fish are genuinely long-lived companions.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Black Moor Goldfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Black Moor Goldfish get?
- The Black Moor Goldfish reaches about 3–8" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Black Moor Goldfish need?
- A minimum of 30 gallons is recommended for the Black Moor Goldfish.
- What water parameters does the Black Moor Goldfish need?
- The Black Moor Goldfish does best with a temperature of 60–72°F, a pH of 6–8, hardness around 4–20 dGH.
- Is the Black Moor Goldfish aggressive?
- The Black Moor Goldfish is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Black Moor Goldfish eat?
- The Black Moor Goldfish is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Black Moor Goldfish live?
- With good care, the Black Moor Goldfish typically lives 10-20 years.