Variety of Goldfish

Black moor

Carassius auratus

One of 12 varieties of Carassius auratus · See all varieties →

Also known as Black telescope goldfish, Dragon eye goldfish, Popeye goldfish

FreshwaterFish

Black moor (Carassius auratus) — IssamBarhoumi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Varieties · Carassius auratus

See all 12 →

Care at a glance

Temperature: 61–75°F; 16–24°C
pH: 6.5–8.0
Adult size: 7.9 in; 20 cm
Minimum tank: 25 gal; 95 L

Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Tankmates: With caution
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: A black, telescope eyed fancy goldfish, a selectively bred strain of domesticated Carassius auratus whose wild form lives in slow East Asian freshwater.

Overview

The black moor is a black, telescope-eyed fancy goldfish for a calm coldwater tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

A black moor relies on smell and touch far more than sight. Keepers often tap the surface at the same feeding spot to train it to gather there.

Caring for the black moor

Give one black moor at least 25 gal (95 L), plus about 40 L for each extra fish. Keep the flow gentle and the tank smooth and free of hazards. Remove any sharp rocks or plastic plants.

A black moor, like any goldfish, has no stomach, so food passes through it quickly. A well-fed fish makes a lot of ammonia, which is why it needs a big tank and strong filtration. It is a coldwater fish, comfortable at 61 to 75°F (16 to 24°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0.

Feed sinking pellets and soft foods, with some vegetables and the odd frozen food. Its bulging eyes give it very poor vision, so it feeds slowly and bumps into things. Give it time to find its meal.

The black moor is peaceful, swims slowly and does fine alone or in a group. Because of its poor sight, house it only with other slow, gentle fancies. Breeding black moors takes moderate effort.

Good to know

The black moor is a velvety black telescope-eye goldfish, a strain of Carassius auratus selected for domed, outward-pointing eyes set on stalks. The eye shape results from fluid pressure and gives the fish no advantage. It has the deep, rounded body of other fancies. Many moors fade toward bronze or orange as they age or in warmer water.

In the wild

The black moor is a selectively bred strain of the domesticated goldfish, Carassius auratus. The wild form of the species lives in slow freshwater across East Asia.

From published sources

Tank mates

Each fish here is named as a tank mate for the black moor by at least two published care guides. Every partner here handles cool water. The tank needs about 20 gallons (75 liters) for the first fancy goldfish and 10 gallons (38 liters) for each extra one.

Sources: Practical Fishkeeping, Aquarium Co-Op, Fishkeeping World, Aquarium Source, Tropical Fish Hobbyist.

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Common questions

Is a black moor a different species from the goldfish?

No. A black moor is a variety of the goldfish, Carassius auratus. It is kept the same way apart from difficulty, adult size, tank size and temperature.

What size tank does a black moor need?

A black moor needs at least 25 gal (95 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What does a black moor eat?

A black moor eats sinking pellets and soft foods, with some vegetables and the odd frozen food. It feeds slowly, so give it time to find its meal.

How big does a black moor get?

An adult black moor reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

What fish can live with the black moor?

Published care guides name weather loach, bristlenose pleco, bulldog pleco and variable platy, among others. Every partner here handles cool water. The tank needs about 20 gallons (75 liters) for the first fancy goldfish and 10 gallons (38 liters) for each extra one.