Black Moor goldfish require a diet consisting of high-protein food with lots of essential vitamins. As these fish are susceptible to ammonia levels rising too fast, not being given enough food can cause swim bladder issues and swim bladder disease.
Feed Black Moors as much flakes as they can consume within two minutes twice per day; other tasty treats for Black Moors may include blood worms, tubifex worms, brine shrimp and vegetables.
Contents
Protein
Black Moor Goldfish are true omnivores and should be fed a variety of plant and animal-based food sources, from standard fish flakes to live foods such as artemia, brine shrimp or tubifex worms. They will readily consume both staple foods such as standard fish flakes as well as any live foods like artemia brine shrimp or tubifex worms as part of their daily diet.
Due to their clumsy nature, these fish are prone to bumping into aquarium decor or ornaments on a regular basis, necessitating great care when performing maintenance. Their eyes and fins are also delicate so providing them with a stress free environment is paramount in maintaining peak health for these delicate fish.
These Goldfish have the ability to tolerate extremely cold temperatures; however, for prolonged exposure they should be placed in an aquarium that provides enough insulation. Pond environments may not be appropriate as sudden temperature changes cannot be managed properly by these species. Furthermore, single-tailed fancy varieties and aquarium invertebrates such as snails may damage them due to nibbling at their long fins and picking at their eyes and fins.
Vegetables
Black Moor Goldfish are highly desirable varieties of goldfish found in pet stores. While their care requires an unconventional tank setup and is more sensitive to environmental changes than other varieties, this doesn’t make them unsuitable for experienced keepers.
Black Moors are schooling fish that prefer living in groups of 3 or more fish. Although they can co-habitate with other Goldfish species, they should not be kept with single-tailed or fin nipper species as these may try to eat them.
As spring begins, female Black Moor will start spawning and the male will fertilize her eggs, fertilization will take place quickly and once hatchlings appear it is necessary to remove both parents as they will quickly consume their young.
One Black Moor requires a tank with 15 gallons; every additional fish requires 10 additional gallons in order to accommodate its growth and feeding needs.
Water Temperature
Black Moor goldfish are coldwater species, so no heater is necessary for their care. However, to reduce disease development in their pet fish tanks, keep water temperature between 65-72 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal conditions.
Since these fish are more delicate than their fancy goldfish counterparts, any infections that arise should be quickly addressed with a mild salt bath treatment plan.
Fancy goldfish are omnivores, so they can be fed fish flakes, bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and other freeze-dried foods. Additionally, they may nibble at any algae found in their aquarium environment.
Given their poor eyesight, black moor goldfish should be housed with other peaceful fish. As schooling goldfish tend to thrive when kept together with one or more other fancy goldfish with similar vision challenges, other varieties should be kept at bay, especially any fast swimmers that might compete for food and pollute the tank water.
Water Chemistry
Like other fancy goldfish, Black Moors are known for being clumsy fish that frequently bump into aquarium decor and ornaments with their protruding eyes. Due to having poor vision and poor resistance against aggressive tankmates such as large Catfish or Cichlids, Black Moors may easily be taken down by aggressive tank mates such as large Cichlids.
Therefore, it is crucial that aquarium owners provide them with ample hiding spots in the tank, and avoid placing them near doors, windows, radiators or any other sources of heat or cold. Furthermore, Black Moors are sensitive to changes in water temperature; for this reason they require a heater in order to maintain a consistent environment for them.
Notably, they do not do well when competing with faster-swimming species such as Celestial Eyed Fancy Goldfish or Orandas for food sources; therefore they will eventually starve to death if kept with these fish. Good tank mates include Peppered Corydoras (ideal for lower temperatures) or Bearded Corydoras as well as peaceful bottom feeders such as Mollies, Tetras or Discus.
