The Ultimate Guide to Black Moor Goldfish Care

The Black Moor goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) is one of the most recognizable fancy goldfish varieties, distinguished by its velvety black coloration and prominent telescope eyes. Unlike the typical orange, red, or white goldfish, every part of the Black Moor is black — body, fins, and eyes. These elegant fish have been selectively bred for centuries and make excellent pets for aquarists who understand their unique requirements.

Black Moor Goldfish at a Glance

Origins of the Black Moor Goldfish

Black Moor goldfish descend from common carp through centuries of selective breeding. All modern goldfish varieties likely stem from the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) or Crucian carp (Carassius carassius), which were originally drab olive-colored fish farmed for food — one of the earliest forms of fish farming.

Genetic abnormalities occasionally produced yellow, orange, or red-colored carp. Chinese breeders isolated these unusual specimens in separate ponds, locking in color patterns through selective interbreeding. Historical records indicate Chinese breeders began developing fancy goldfish varieties before 1000 AD, based on surviving writings and artwork from the period.

Black Moor goldfish ancestors later spread to Japan in the 1500s, where Japanese breeders developed the long, flowing tail fins and bright color patterns that define modern fancy goldfish. The telescope eye trait eventually appeared, leading to names including “Dragon Fish” and “Dragon Eyes,” and the distinctive black coloration was isolated through further selective breeding.

Types of Black Moor Goldfish

Black Moor goldfish share the traditional short, egg-shaped body common to fancy goldfish, but they stand out due to their protruding telescope eyes and deep black coloration.

Eye Variations

Collectors classify Black Moor goldfish by eye style. The telescope eyes develop gradually as the fish matures and can appear in several forms:

Tail Variations

Black Moor goldfish also vary in tail shape. The most common tail types include:

Related Black Goldfish Varieties

Although the Black Moor is the most well-known black goldfish, breeders have developed black coloration in several other fancy goldfish varieties. Originally, black coloration was believed to be linked exclusively to telescoping eyes, but Black Moors sometimes produce offspring with black coloration and normal eyes.

Modern black fancy goldfish varieties include the Black Oranda, Black Lionhead, Black Ranchu, Black Ryukin, Black Pearlscale, Black Comet, and Black Bubble Eye goldfish.

Color Development

Young Black Moor goldfish (less than one month old) typically display brownish-bronze coloration. At this stage, they have the traditional egg-shaped body but lack the telescoping eyes, making them look like ordinary goldfish. The characteristic velvety black coloration and protruding eyes gradually develop over six to eight weeks.

Several factors influence how well a Black Moor goldfish retains its black color over time:

Feeding Black Moor Goldfish

Black Moor goldfish are omnivorous, just like their carp ancestors. In the wild, carp and goldfish forage through mud and leaf litter, consuming insects, worms, and plant material. Many breeders believe that muddy-bottom, algae-rich environments stimulate strong pigment formation in black goldfish.

A poor diet leads to health problems and color loss, so feeding Black Moor goldfish the right foods matters. Commercial specialty goldfish pellets provide the essential nutrition formulated specifically for fancy aquarium and pond varieties.

Floating vs. Sinking Pellets

Floating pellets are made with high plant-based ingredients like alfalfa and kale. They contain starch that gives them buoyancy and come in various sizes. The advantage of floating pellets is that you can easily monitor how much your Black Moor goldfish are eating. Look for brands where corn is not the primary ingredient.

Sinking pellets contain less starch and air, allowing them to fall to the aquarium bottom. They typically offer greater nutritional diversity. Since goldfish naturally forage along the bottom, sinking pellets encourage natural feeding behavior. However, you need to be careful with portions — uneaten sinking pellets decompose quickly and foul the water.

Feeding Tips

Uneaten food dissolves within about one hour. As it breaks down, the dissolved nutrients reduce water quality and promote bacterial blooms — cloudy water is often a sign of overfeeding. Black Moor goldfish can learn to accept hand-fed food over time, which helps you control portions.

Supplement the pellet diet with fresh vegetables for variety and extra nutrition:

Remove any uneaten fresh food after 30 minutes to prevent water quality problems.

Color-Enhancing Foods: A Warning for Black Moors

The black coloration in Black Moor goldfish is produced by specialized skin cells called chromatophores. Specifically, cells known as melanophores store the black pigment melanin, which creates the characteristic velvety black appearance.

Here is the important part: color-enhancing foods formulated for red, orange, and yellow goldfish contain carotenoids that boost those pigments — but they cannot boost melanin. Feeding these color enhancers to Black Moor goldfish can actually cause them to lose their desirable black coloration and develop unwanted orange or gold tones. Avoid carotenoid-rich color enhancers for this variety entirely.

Black Moor goldfish are also built to digest primarily plant matter. High-protein foods are unnecessary and generally not recommended as daily sustenance.

Tank Mates for Black Moor Goldfish

Black Moor goldfish move slowly due to their elongated telescope eyes, which give them poor vision. They cannot quickly zero in on food, causing them to miss feeding opportunities when kept with faster fish. Some goldfish varieties can also display aggression and compete for food through head-butting behavior.

Compatible Tank Mates

Tank Mates to Avoid

Most aquarists prefer keeping two or more Black Moor goldfish together as a single-variety fancy goldfish tank. This eliminates food competition and ensures all fish can thrive at the same pace. For more on fancy goldfish compatibility, see our guide to Oranda goldfish tank mates.

Aquarium Setup

Black Moor goldfish can live over 10 years with proper care. Although you can purchase them as small specimens, they grow to over ten inches in length in a relatively short period, so planning ahead for tank size is essential.

Tank Size

A 20-gallon aquarium kit is an excellent starting point for beginners. Most kits include the tank, filter, heater, LED light, and additional small items — you just add gravel, water conditioner, and fish. For more guidance, see our article on how to set up a goldfish aquarium.

Filtration

A quality power filter is essential for keeping Black Moor goldfish healthy. Goldfish produce more waste than tropical fish of the same size, so choose a filter rated for at least twice your tank volume. Look for filters that provide both mechanical filtration (removing floating particles) and chemical filtration with activated carbon.

Activated carbon works by adsorbing dissolved organic compounds that accumulate in aquariums. Without it, these compounds give the water a tea-like discoloration over time. Change your filter cartridge or media at least monthly — after about 30 days, the media becomes clogged and loses its purification effectiveness.

Water Changes

Regular water changes are critical for Black Moor goldfish health. Change approximately 20% of the water monthly to dilute algae-promoting nutrients like nitrate and phosphate. Use a gravel siphon to vacuum sludge and organic debris from the gravel bed during each water change.

Regular cleaning prevents fish disease pathogens from finding breeding grounds in accumulated waste, and it keeps the aquarium looking clear and attractive. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our complete guide to cleaning your fish tank.

Temperature Control

Although Black Moor goldfish do not require tropical temperatures, they are sensitive to dramatic temperature fluctuations. Set an aquarium heater to approximately 70°F to protect against accidental temperature drops from drafts or seasonal changes. This also keeps the water cool enough to maintain the Black Moor’s rich black coloration.

Water Conditions

Aquascaping for Black Moor Goldfish

All goldfish are notorious diggers, and Black Moor goldfish are no exception. They naturally sift through sand or small gravel searching for bits of food. This digging behavior is normal, but it means you need to plan your substrate and decorations carefully.

Substrate

Any aquarium-safe gravel or sand works for Black Moor goldfish. However, food can work its way into gravel beds and decompose, causing water quality problems. Regular gravel vacuuming during water changes prevents this buildup.

If you keep live plants or plastic plants in the tank, place larger smooth pebbles around the plant bases to discourage your Black Moor goldfish from digging them up.

Decorations

Black Moor goldfish will explore resin caves, ornaments, and other tank decorations. However, their limited vision makes decoration selection particularly important for this variety.

Related Goldfish Care Guides

If you are new to goldfish keeping or want to learn more, visit our complete goldfish care hub or explore these specific guides:

• Goldfish Care for Beginners — start here if this is your first goldfish
• How to Set Up a Goldfish Aquarium — step-by-step tank setup
• Feeding Goldfish — detailed nutrition guide for all goldfish types
• Oranda Goldfish Tank Mates — compatibility guide for another popular fancy variety
• Koi vs. Goldfish — understand the differences between these related species

Final Thoughts

Fancy goldfish are a fascinating segment of the aquarium hobby, and Black Moor goldfish are among the most popular varieties for good reason. Their unique velvety appearance, friendly personality, and playful behavior offer years of companionship for aquarists willing to meet their care requirements.

Focus on maintaining excellent water quality, providing a proper diet built around specialty goldfish pellets, choosing compatible slow-moving tank mates, and keeping temperatures cool. Follow these steps and your Black Moor goldfish will reward you with an attractive, healthy aquatic display for many years to come.