Black Moor Goldfish: Velvet Black With Bulging Eyes

In this guide

Overview

The black moor is a telescope-eyed goldfish variety with a deep, velvety black colour across its entire body, a striking contrast to the oranges and reds of most other fancy goldfish. It grows to around fifteen centimetres and shares the protruding, telescope-style eyes of its close relative, the telescope goldfish.

Interestingly, black moors can lose some of their black colouring as they age or if kept in very bright light, sometimes developing bronze or orange patches, which is a natural part of ageing rather than a sign of illness.

Tank requirements

A single black moor needs at least seventy five litres. The protruding eyes are delicate and prone to injury or infection from sharp decor or rough handling with a net, so smooth gravel and rounded ornaments are worth choosing.

The bulging eyes also affect eyesight, making black moors slower to find food than sharper-sighted goldfish, so they are best kept with other slow, gentle tankmates such as fantails or other telescope-eyed varieties.

Diet and care

Sinking pellets suit the black moor better than surface food, given its limited forward vision. A varied diet with occasional vegetables and live food keeps colour and condition good.

Regular water changes help prevent the eye infections that this variety is somewhat more prone to than plainer, sharper-eyed goldfish.

Buying tips

• Reasonably priced in India, generally eighty to two hundred rupees for young fish
• Check both eyes are equal in size and free of cloudiness or visible damage before buying
• A popular choice for a striking, low-maintenance colour contrast in a mixed fancy goldfish tank

Article content © S Vejay Anand. All rights reserved.