Black Moor goldfish are beautiful fish that make an attractive, interesting addition to any coldwater fish tank.
But can Black Moors live with other fish? Are Black Moors peaceful fish? And how many Black Moors can you keep together?
Read this guide to find out what fish make the best Black Moor goldfish tank mates.
What size tank do black moor goldfish need?
Black Moors can grow to measure up to 7 inches in length or more. So, if you want to keep your Black Moor goldfish with some tank mates, you’ll need to have a tank that’s large enough to accommodate fishy friends.
When you buy a Black Moor goldfish from your local pet shop or fish store, your new pet will be only a couple of inches long. However, goldfish rapidly grow when fed a correct, balanced diet, and that tiny tiddler will quickly outgrow a small tank.
Although you can keep two Black Moors in a US 10-gallon tank (UK 9 gallon) to start with, you will soon need to upscale that. So, we recommend that you begin with a US 20-gallon fish tank (UK 17 gallon).
Since goldfish are very dirty fish that produce a lot of waste, you need to allow a further 10 gallons per additional fish.
Tank Shape
All Fancy goldfish are clumsy, slow swimmers, and Black Moors are no exception! For that reason, a rectangular tank with plenty of swimming space is the best choice. That tank shape also provides plenty of surface area for efficient gaseous exchange to satisfy these oxygen-hungry fish.
Deep tanks should be avoided, as the Black Moors might struggle to reach the surface to feed, which causes stress and related health problems.
Although Fancy goldfish are not natural jumpers, accidents have been known to happen, especially with juvenile fish. For that reason, we recommend an aquarium with a cover slide or hood. A cover also keeps dust and foreign bodies out of the water and prevents evaporation.
Don’t use a goldfish bowl
Goldfish bowls are far too small for Black Moors!
Despite the idea that goldfish traditionally live in a fish bowl, it’s actually viewed as cruel to use a goldfish bowl for fish.
Basically, there isn’t enough space for the fish to swim comfortably, and the tiny surface area provided by a bowl is insufficient for gaseous exchange.
Can Black Moor Goldfish live in ponds?
Although I have successfully kept Black Moor goldfish in a garden pond, they should live with other Fancy goldfish types.
Comets and other fast, agile swimmers tend to cause problems as they outcompete the slower Fancies for food, and collisions can happen during feeding frenzies.
Are black moor goldfish aggressive towards other fish?
No! Black Moor goldfish are peaceable creatures that do not display aggression toward other fish species, including their own kind.
That said, when spawning, male goldfish can appear quite aggressive when pursuing a female around the tank, and minor injuries can sometimes occur.
Can black moor goldfish live with tropical fish?
Black Moor goldfish and other Fancies prefer warmer water, so they can share their aquarium with quite a few species of tropical fish:
Platies
Platies are small, brightly colored tropical fish that grow to around 3 inches in length, so they are too big to be regarded as a food source by your Black Moors.
Platies are schooling fish that must be kept in groups of at least five individuals. These fish are livebearers that breed extremely well in captivity. However, your goldfish will probably keep the Platies’ numbers in check by eating the fry.
Rosy Barbs
Rosy barbs are gorgeous fish that can reach around 6 inches long. These fish like cooler water conditions and a spacious tank of at least 30 gallons.
Barbs are schooling fish, spending much of their time patrolling the central area of the water column, so they won’t bother your Moors.
Chequered Barbs
Checkered/Chequered Barbs are attractive fish that make an excellent addition to a community setup. Again, these fish live in schools of eight or more, growing to around 2 inches long.
River Murray Rainbow Fish
River Murray Rainbowfish are extremely pretty fish that thrive in cooler water temperatures of around 70°. In fact, cooler water conditions enhance this glamorous fish’s colour.
Scissortail Rasbora
The Scissortail Rasbora is a peaceful shoaling fish that can make a good tank mate for Black Moors. Scissortails prefer water temperatures between 72° to 77°F and share the same dietary requirements as Black Moor goldfish.
These stunning black and silver fish grow to around 6 inches long and do best when kept in large schools of at least six specimens.
Zebra Danios
Zebra danios are often seen in goldfish tanks. These beautiful black-and-white stripy schooling fish can tolerate water temperatures from 65° to 77°F.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows
White Cloud Mountain Minnows can be a good choice for a Black Moor goldfish community tank. These attractive little fish reach 1.5 to 2 inches in length and live in schools.
Although these tiny fish can make a meal for a hungry Black Moor, they are very fast swimmers and can usually escape. For extra security, provide lots of thick planting and caves where the minnows can take refuge if they need to.
Dojo Loach
Dojo loaches are also commonly referred to as Weather loaches.
These bottom-dwelling fish can detect changes in barometric pressure, becoming highly agitated when the pressure changes. So, if your loaches start acting up, you know a storm is coming!
Dojo loaches need to live in a tank of at least 55 gallons or more. These odd little creatures can climb, so you’ll need a tightly fitting lid with no openings or holes to prevent escapes!
Corydoras Catfish
There are over 100 species of Corydoras catfish, all of which can be kept with Black Moor goldfish.
These hardy, peaceful little fish are incredibly easy to care for and come in different sizes from 1 to 3 inches long. These are bottom-dwelling fish that should be kept in schools of at least six or seven individuals.
Hillstream Loach
Hillstream loaches are shy scavengers that can reach around 3 inches long. These fish enjoy cooler water conditions of 68° to 75°F, spending much of their time hiding underneath rocks, wood, and amid lush plants.
Best tank mates for black moor goldfish
In addition to the tropical species mentioned above, the best tank mates for Black Moor goldfish are other kinds of Fancy goldfish.
Black Moors are somewhat compromised by their large, protruding telescopic eyes. Those eyes can leave the fish extremely vulnerable to damage and injury if their tank mates are too boisterous.
Good Tank Mates For Black Moors
Snails and large shrimp can make useful and interesting tank mates for your Black Moors. These creatures spend much of their time eating detritus, leftover fish food, and algae, helping to keep your tank clean.
Fancy goldfish varieties that do well alongside Black Moors include:
- Fantail
- Veiltail
- Butterfly tail
- Ryukin
- Tamasaba
- Ranchu
- Lionhead
- Oranda
- Lionchu
- Butterfly Telescope
- Dragon Eye
- Pearlscale
- Pom Pom
- Bubble Eye
- Celestial Eye
Although there are a few other varieties of Fancy goldfish, we think those listed above are the best choices of companions for the Black Moor.
Unsuitable tank mates for Black Moors
As mentioned earlier, Black Moors are slow swimmers that can be pushed around by faster swimming, more agile goldfish types. So, avoid species such as Comets and Shubunkins.
Fin nippers, tiny shrimp and fish species that might make a meal for the large Black Moors are also unsuitable tank mates.
How many fish should black moor goldfish live with?
Black Moors are sociable fish that love to be part of a large group. So, provided that you have sufficient space in your aquarium or pond, you can keep as many fish in your community as you want to.
However, you must have enough space to comfortably accommodate the number of fish you have.
Overcrowding is extremely harmful to fish. When kept in cramped, overcrowded conditions, the fish become stressed. Stress compromises the fish’s immune system, potentially leading to outbreaks of disease and a general failure to thrive.
If you keep a large group of fish, you must ensure that they all get enough to eat. You can do that by feeding the fish at separate ends of your tank or pond, where they will naturally form two groups.
Final Thoughts
Did you enjoy our guide to the best tank mates for Black Moor goldfish? If you did, please share the article!
Black Moors are sociable, peaceful fish that do best when kept with others of their own kind or in groups with other Fancy goldfish types. As mentioned earlier in this guide, you can also keep Black Moors with several tropical species.
Avoid keeping your Black Moors with fast-swimming, slim-bodied goldfish that could buffet the Moors and outcompete them for food. Fancy goldfish can grow quite large, so avoid adding tiny shrimp and fish species to your tank that might be viewed as a food source by the goldfish.