Telescope Eye Goldfish – The Complete Guide To Their Unique Care Needs
Have you ever found yourself mesmerized by a fish with big, expressive, almost cartoonish eyes swimming gracefully in an aquarium? It’s hard not to be captivated by the unique charm of the telescope eye goldfish. Their gentle nature and otherworldly appearance make them a standout choice for any fish keeper.
But with those special eyes comes a special set of needs. You might worry that they’re too delicate or difficult to care for. I promise you, they aren’t! With the right knowledge and a little bit of planning, providing a wonderful, thriving home for these aquatic jewels is incredibly rewarding and well within your reach.
In this complete telescope eye goldfish care guide, we’ll walk you through everything. We’ll cover the perfect tank setup to keep them safe, the ideal diet for their health, how to pick the right tank mates, and how to spot and solve common problems before they become serious. Let’s build the perfect world for your new friend!
Meet the Charming Telescope Eye Goldfish: More Than Just Big Eyes
The telescope eye goldfish, also known as the Demekin, is a type of fancy goldfish selectively bred for its protruding eyes. These eyes, which sit on the end of stalks or cones, don’t fully develop until the fish is about six months old. Their bodies are short and stout, similar to a Fantail goldfish, and they have a beautiful, flowing double tail.
Despite their dramatic look, these are some of the most peaceful and slow-moving fish you can own. One of the main benefits of telescope eye goldfish is their docile temperament, which makes them a calming presence in any aquarium. They aren’t aggressive and prefer to spend their days gently exploring their surroundings.
Varieties to Look For
While many envision the classic Black Moor when they think of this fish, they come in a stunning array of colors and patterns:
- Black Moor: The most famous variety, known for its deep, velvety black color and large, telescopic eyes.
- Panda Telescope: A striking black-and-white patterned fish that is highly sought after by enthusiasts.
- Red Telescope: A vibrant orange or red fish that brings a classic goldfish color to this unique body shape.
- Calico Telescope: A beautiful fish with a mottled pattern of orange, black, white, and sometimes blue.
The Perfect Home: Your Telescope Eye Goldfish Tank Setup Guide
Creating the right environment is the most important step in keeping your fish healthy and happy. Because of their unique features, a standard goldfish bowl is never an option. Here’s a breakdown of the telescope eye goldfish best practices for their aquarium.
Tank Size Matters—A Lot!
Goldfish produce a lot of waste, and fancy varieties like the telescope eye need pristine water to thrive. A small tank quickly becomes toxic.
The golden rule is 20 gallons of water for the first fancy goldfish, and an additional 10-15 gallons for each additional fish. A larger tank is always better—it provides more stability in water parameters and gives your slow-swimming friend plenty of room to explore without bumping into things.
Gentle Filtration is Key
Strong filtration is necessary to handle goldfish waste, but a powerful water current is not. Telescope eyes are not strong swimmers and will struggle against a jet-like output from a filter. Opt for a high-quality hang-on-back (HOB) or canister filter, but be prepared to baffle the outflow. You can easily do this by placing a sponge over the output to diffuse the current.
Decorating with Safety in Mind
This is where their special needs really come into play. A telescope eye’s most prominent feature is also its most vulnerable. Their eyes are easily scratched or injured, which can lead to serious infections. Furthermore, their vision is quite poor, meaning they can’t always see obstacles in their path.
Your decorating mantra should be: smooth and simple.
- Substrate: Choose either smooth, rounded gravel (too large to be swallowed) or fine sand. Avoid sharp or jagged rocks.
- Decorations: All decorations must be free of sharp edges. Run a nylon stocking over any potential decor—if it snags, it’s too sharp for your tank. Silk plants are a fantastic alternative to hard plastic ones.
- Live Plants: Sturdy, broad-leafed plants like Anubias and Java Fern are excellent choices. They are soft and won’t harm your fish’s eyes.
Feeding Your Fish: A Diet for Health and Vibrant Color
Knowing how to telescope eye goldfish should be fed is crucial for preventing common health issues like swim bladder disease. Because of their poor eyesight, they can be slow to find food, and their compacted body shape makes them prone to digestive problems.
Sinking Pellets are Your Best Friend
Floating foods should be avoided. When goldfish gulp for food at the surface, they often swallow air, which can lead to buoyancy problems (swim bladder disorder). Instead, choose a high-quality, protein-rich sinking pellet or gel food specifically formulated for fancy goldfish.
Soak pellets in a bit of tank water for a minute before feeding. This allows them to soften and expand before your fish eats them, further aiding digestion.
How Often and How Much?
Feed small amounts two to three times per day. A good rule of thumb is to only give them what they can completely consume in about one minute. Overfeeding is one of the most common mistakes in fishkeeping and leads to poor water quality and health problems.
Healthy Treats
Varying their diet is a great way to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. You can supplement their diet with treats like:
- Blanched and peeled peas (great for digestion)
- Daphnia (frozen or live)
- Brine shrimp (frozen or live)
- Bloodworms (as an occasional treat, as they are high in fat)
Choosing Friends: Safe Tank Mates for Your Gentle Giant
Telescope eye goldfish are social creatures and do well with company, but their tank mates must be chosen with extreme care. Their slow speed and poor vision put them at a major disadvantage with faster, more agile fish.
The Best Tank Mates
The ideal companions are other slow-moving, similarly handicapped fancy goldfish. This ensures everyone gets a fair chance at feeding time and that there is no bullying.
- Other Telescope Eyes (like Black Moors)
- Fantail Goldfish
- Oranda Goldfish
- Lionhead Goldfish
- Ryukin Goldfish
Peaceful bottom-dwellers like Dojo Loaches can also be a good fit, as they occupy a different level of the tank and won’t compete for food.
Tank Mates to Avoid at All Costs
Never house your telescope eye with fast, single-tailed goldfish or any type of aggressive fish. They will be outcompeted for food, stressed, and their delicate fins and eyes may get nipped.
- Common or Comet Goldfish
- Shubunkin Goldfish
- Most Cichlids
- Barbs (like Tiger Barbs)
- Any fish known for being “nippy” or territorial.
Common Problems with Telescope Eye Goldfish (And How to Solve Them!)
Even with the best care, you might run into issues. The key is to spot them early. Here are some of the most common problems with telescope eye goldfish and how you can provide the right care.
Eye Injuries and Infections
The Problem: A cloudy eye, a white film, or visible scratches are signs of an injury that could become infected (a condition called “popeye”). This is almost always caused by sharp decor or aggressive tank mates.
The Solution: Immediately remove the offending decoration or fish. Perform a partial water change to ensure the water is pristine. In many cases, clean water is all that’s needed for a minor scratch to heal. If the eye looks swollen or infected, a broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment in a separate quarantine tank may be necessary.
Swim Bladder Disorder
The Problem: The fish is struggling to stay upright, floating to the top, or stuck at the bottom of the tank. This is often caused by constipation or gulping air while eating floating food.
The Solution: First, fast the fish for 2-3 days. Then, feed it a blanched and deshelled pea. The fiber can help clear its digestive tract. Moving forward, switch exclusively to high-quality sinking pellets and be careful not to overfeed. This is a key part of any good telescope eye goldfish care guide.
Fin Rot
The Problem: The beautiful, flowing fins appear ragged, torn, or have white or black edges.
The Solution: Fin rot is a bacterial infection almost always caused by poor water quality. The immediate fix is to test your water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Perform daily partial water changes (25-30%) until the water parameters are perfect (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and nitrates below 40 ppm). Clean water is the best medicine.
Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Telescope Eye Goldfish Keeping
Being a responsible aquarist goes beyond just the tank. Embracing a sustainable telescope eye goldfish mindset ensures the well-being of your pet and the environment.
Look for fish from reputable local breeders or fish stores rather than mass-market chains where fish may be kept in poor conditions. A healthy, well-bred fish is less likely to have genetic issues or diseases.
When it comes to being an eco-friendly telescope eye goldfish owner, water conservation is key. Use the old aquarium water from your water changes to water your houseplants! It’s full of nitrates, which are fantastic fertilizer for plants. And remember, never, ever release a pet fish into a local waterway. They can become invasive species that devastate local ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Telescope Eye Goldfish
Can a telescope eye goldfish live in a bowl?
Absolutely not. This is one of the biggest myths in fishkeeping. Goldfish produce a high amount of waste and require stable, filtered water, which is impossible to provide in a bowl. A bowl also doesn’t provide the space they need to swim. Always choose a proper aquarium of at least 20 gallons.
How long do telescope eye goldfish live?
With proper care, a spacious tank, and a high-quality diet, your telescope eye goldfish can live for 10-15 years, sometimes even longer! This is a long-term commitment, so be prepared to provide them with a forever home.
Are telescope eye goldfish good for beginners?
Yes, they can be! While they have special considerations regarding their eyes and tank mates, their needs are straightforward. As long as a beginner is willing to provide a large enough tank and a safe environment, they are a wonderfully rewarding first fish. Don’t worry—these fish are perfect for beginners who do their research!
Your Journey with the Telescope Eye Goldfish
Caring for a telescope eye goldfish is a truly special experience. Their unique appearance and gentle, trusting nature create a bond that few other fish can offer. They aren’t just pets; they are living art in your home.
Remember the key takeaways from our guide: a big tank, super safe decorations, a diet of sinking pellets, and peaceful, slow-moving friends. By following these telescope eye goldfish tips, you’re not just keeping a fish—you’re creating a sanctuary where it can thrive for years to come.
Now you have the knowledge and confidence to succeed. Go forth and build a beautiful underwater world for your new friend!
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