Goldfish With Big Eyes – Your Ultimate Guide To Thriving Telescope
Have you ever walked past an aquarium and been completely stopped in your tracks by a fish with huge, curious, puppy-dog eyes? There’s something undeniably charming about a goldfish with big eyes, their comical and endearing appearance making them one of the most popular fancy goldfish varieties in the hobby. It’s easy to fall in love with them.
But you might also feel a little intimidated. Do those big eyes need special care? Are they difficult to keep? I’m here to promise you that with the right knowledge, not only can you successfully keep these wonderful fish, but you can create an environment where they truly thrive. Don’t worry—these fish are more robust than they look!
In this complete guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of these captivating creatures. We’ll explore the different types, show you exactly how to goldfish with big eyes care works, set up the perfect tank, cover their dietary needs, and troubleshoot common problems. Let’s get started on building a beautiful, healthy home for your new aquatic friend.
Meet the Stars: Popular Types of Goldfish with Big Eyes
When people talk about a “goldfish with big eyes,” they are usually referring to a few specific types of fancy goldfish. These aren’t your typical carnival-prize comets; they have been selectively bred for their unique features. Let’s meet the main players.
The Telescope Eye Goldfish
The Telescope Eye is the quintessential big-eyed goldfish. Their defining feature is, of course, their protruding eyes, which extend outwards on stalks. They come in a breathtaking array of colors, including red, calico, white, and orange.
Their egg-shaped body and flowing fins add to their graceful, albeit slightly clumsy, swimming style. Because their vision is quite poor, they are gentle, slow-moving fish that require a peaceful tank environment to flourish.
The Black Moor Goldfish
A crowd favorite and perhaps the most famous of the bunch! The Black Moor is technically a type of Telescope Eye goldfish, distinguished by its deep, velvety black color and metallic-like scales. They are the “pugs” of the aquarium world—utterly charming and full of personality.
Over time, it’s not uncommon for a Black Moor’s color to change, sometimes fading to a bronze or orange hue, especially with age. This is perfectly normal and just adds to their unique character. The benefits of goldfish with big eyes like the Black Moor include their peaceful nature and stunning appearance.
Other Unique Varieties (For the Adventurous Aquarist)
While Telescopes and Moors are the most common, breeding has produced even more exotic varieties:
- Celestial Eye Goldfish: These fish have eyes that are permanently turned upwards, as if gazing at the heavens. They have no dorsal fin, making their care more specialized.
- Bubble Eye Goldfish: Known for the large, fluid-filled sacs that develop under their eyes. These sacs are extremely delicate, making them a species best left to experienced goldfish keepers.
For our purposes, this goldfish with big eyes care guide will focus primarily on the more common and beginner-friendly Telescope and Black Moor varieties.
Creating the Perfect Home: Your Goldfish with Big Eyes Care Guide
Forget everything you’ve heard about goldfish bowls. To give your big-eyed friend the best life possible, you need to provide a proper home. This is the single most important factor for their health and longevity. Here are the best practices to follow.
Tank Size: The Golden Rule
When it comes to goldfish, bigger is always better. They produce a lot of waste, and a larger volume of water helps dilute toxins and maintain stability.
Here’s a simple rule to follow:
- Start with a minimum of a 20-gallon (75-liter) tank for ONE fancy goldfish.
- Add an additional 10-15 gallons (40-55 liters) for each additional fancy goldfish.
A spacious tank gives them room to swim without bumping into things, reduces stress, and makes it much easier for you to maintain clean water. This is a non-negotiable for responsible goldfish keeping.
Filtration and Water Parameters
Excellent filtration is key. Goldfish are messy, so you need a filter rated for a tank larger than what you have. For example, in a 30-gallon tank, use a filter rated for 40 or 50 gallons.
However, because these fish are slow swimmers, you need to ensure the filter’s output isn’t too strong. A powerful current will blow them around the tank. You can baffle the output with a sponge or aim it at the tank wall to diffuse the flow.
Your goal is to maintain these water parameters:
- Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- pH: 7.0 – 8.0
- Ammonia: 0 ppm (parts per million)
- Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Below 40 ppm (ideally below 20 ppm)
Regular weekly water changes of 25-50% are essential to keep nitrates low and replenish essential minerals. This is one of the most crucial goldfish with big eyes tips for preventing health issues.
The “Eye-Safe” Aquarium: Decor and Substrate
This is where caring for a goldfish with big eyes differs most from other fish. Their protruding eyes and poor eyesight make them vulnerable to injury.
Your number one job is to create a safe, bump-free environment. Here’s how:
- Substrate: Use smooth, fine-grain sand or large, smooth river stones. Avoid standard aquarium gravel, which can have sharp edges and may be swallowed. Bare-bottom tanks are also a fantastic, easy-to-clean option.
- Decorations: All decorations MUST be smooth. Run your hands over everything before it goes in the tank. Avoid sharp, pointy driftwood, jagged rocks, and plastic plants with hard edges. Silk plants are a wonderful, safe alternative.
- Layout: Provide plenty of open swimming space. Don’t overcrowd the tank with decor.
Feeding Your Bug-Eyed Buddy: Diet and Nutrition Best Practices
A proper diet is fundamental to your goldfish’s health, color, and energy. Fancy goldfish are prone to digestive issues, especially swim bladder disorder, so what and how you feed them matters immensely.
The best diet is a varied one. The cornerstone should be a high-quality, sinking pellet or gel food specifically formulated for fancy goldfish. Sinking food is critical because it prevents the fish from gulping air at the surface, which is a leading cause of buoyancy problems.
Supplement their diet with treats a few times a week:
- Blanched Vegetables: Deshelled peas are a classic goldfish favorite and act as a natural laxative. Zucchini and spinach are also great choices.
- Live or Frozen Foods: Brine shrimp and daphnia are excellent sources of protein and roughage.
- Seaweed (Nori): You can use a veggie clip to attach a small piece of unsalted seaweed for them to graze on.
Feed small amounts once or twice a day. A good rule of thumb is to only give them what they can consume in about one minute. It’s far better to underfeed than to overfeed!
Common Problems with Goldfish with Big Eyes (And How to Solve Them)
Even with the best care, you might run into issues. Being able to spot the common problems with goldfish with big eyes early is key to successful treatment. Here’s what to watch out for.
Eye Injuries and Infections
Their most prominent feature is also their biggest vulnerability. Scrapes from sharp decor can lead to bacterial or fungal infections. “Popeye,” a condition where the eye swells, is often a sign of a bacterial infection, sometimes caused by poor water quality.
Solution: The best cure is prevention! Ensure your tank is 100% eye-safe. If you notice an injury or swelling, the first step is a large water change to ensure the environment is pristine. If it worsens, a quarantine tank and specific fish medications may be necessary.
Swim Bladder Disorder
This is a common ailment in fancy goldfish due to their compacted body shape. You might see your fish struggling to stay upright, floating to the top, or stuck at the bottom. It’s often caused by diet and constipation.
Solution: First, fast the fish for 2-3 days. Then, feed it only blanched, deshelled peas for a few days. This often helps clear their digestive system. Switching permanently to a high-quality sinking food is the best long-term prevention.
Peaceful Tank Mates Only
Due to their poor eyesight and slow speed, a goldfish with big eyes cannot compete for food with faster fish. They are also easy targets for fin-nipping species.
Solution: The best tank mates for Telescope and Moor goldfish are other Telescope and Moor goldfish. Avoid keeping them with fast, single-tailed varieties like Comets or Shubunkins. If you want other species, stick to peaceful bottom-dwellers like certain types of loaches, but always research compatibility thoroughly.
The Aquifarm Approach: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Goldfish Keeping
Being a great aquarist also means being a responsible one. A core part of our philosophy at Aquifarm is promoting practices that are good for our fish and the planet. Adopting a sustainable goldfish with big eyes mindset is easier than you think.
Eco-Friendly Best Practices:
- Source Responsibly: Purchase your fish from reputable local fish stores or breeders who prioritize health and ethical practices over mass production. A healthy fish from a good source is less likely to have genetic issues.
- Conserve Water: When performing water changes, use the old tank water to water your houseplants! It’s full of nitrogen and other nutrients they’ll love. This is a simple but effective eco-friendly goldfish with big eyes tip.
- Embrace the Commitment: Goldfish can live for 10-15 years, or even longer with excellent care. They are a long-term commitment, not a disposable pet. Providing them with a proper home for their entire life is the most sustainable act of all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Goldfish with Big Eyes
Can goldfish with big eyes see well?
No, their vision is quite poor. Their protruding eyes don’t function as well as normal fish eyes, and their depth perception is limited. This is why a safe, uncluttered tank is so important.
Can they live with other types of fish?
It’s challenging. They should only be housed with other slow-moving, peaceful fancy goldfish. They cannot compete with fast fish like Danios, Barbs, or even common Comet goldfish. They will be outcompeted for food and may get bullied.
Why is my Black Moor goldfish turning orange?
This is a very common and usually harmless phenomenon. Genetics, diet, water parameters, and age can all cause a Black Moor to lose its black pigmentation and reveal the orange or gold colors underneath. It’s not a sign of illness, just your fish showing its true colors!
How big do Telescope Eye goldfish get?
With proper care and a large enough tank, a Telescope Eye or Black Moor can reach a body length of 6-8 inches (15-20 cm), not including their tail. This is why starting with a large tank is so critical for their adult life.
Your Journey with Big-Eyed Goldfish Begins Now!
You are now equipped with a complete goldfish with big eyes guide. You know which types to look for, how to create the perfect safe haven for them, what to feed them, and how to spot trouble before it starts.
The journey of keeping these unique and personable fish is incredibly rewarding. Their clumsy grace and curious eyes bring a special kind of joy to any home. By following these goldfish with big eyes best practices, you’re not just setting up an aquarium—you’re creating a thriving, long-term home for a living creature.
Go forth and build a beautiful aquatic world. Your new big-eyed friend is waiting!
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