The telescope fish, which is also known by the name of the black Moor or Moor and by the dragon-eyed fish, is a fresh and temperate water fish with a very characteristic physiognomy: it has a rounded and short body and very protruding bulging eyes, where the name comes from, although, to tell the truth, it is a fish with very poor vision.
It comes from China, from slow-flowing rivers, and began to be bred in captivity at the beginning of the 18th century, and can live between five and ten years. The most common in aquariums is the Black Moor, but in reality there are many other color varieties, from orange and black to white, passing through the spotted.
This fish may not be the best to start in the aquarium hobby, because it is more susceptible than others to require more care due to possible eye infections, although with the proper care, as we explain below, you will have no reason to worry.
What do you need to take care of a telescope fish?
- A telescope fish
- An aquarium of at least 40 liters
- A water filter at low power
- An air pump to oxygenate
- Some hard-leaved vegetation
- Vegetable rich food
Instructions for caring for a telescope fish
- Location. It is important to place the aquarium in a dark place, given the sensitivity of the telescope fish’s eyes to light, so that if it is exposed for a long time, fungi can grow in them. The best thing is that it does not receive sunlight or electricity, remaining in the dark, with dim lighting.
- Water. The temperature should be warm, because the telescope fish can live between 10º and 24º, so you will not need a thermostat, making sure that the environment of the room is pleasant. At higher temperatures it could die. They do need good oxygenation, so you should use a bubble diffuser or air pump, and change the water at least once a week. The filter should not be at high power so that it causes currents that destabilize it, since it is not a good swimmer, or that it is sucked in and dies.
- Aquarius. At a minimum, this fish needs 40 liters per individual, so it is not very appropriate for round fish tanks. You must put gravel or fine, dark sand on the bottom. You can place some plants with hard leaves, which allow the fish to swim freely, such as the vallisneria or the hygrophilous.
The telescope fish is an omnivorous fish, although it needs vegetables to predominate in its diet, while it is convenient to supply it with live food, such as larvae and brine shrimp. Feedings should be distributed several times and in small amounts, as it has little stomach capacity and is prone to infections due to a poor diet. - Coexistence. The telescope fish is peaceful and appreciates company, so you can give it one or more companions, of its species or other compatible ones. But don’t put fry in it, because it could eat them. You should also not put fast-swimming fish as companions, because the telescope fish is slow, and the others could steal its food. And you should not put hot water fish on it either, because they will attack it to get warm. One not highly recommended is the coils.
- Compatible fish. You can combine the telescope fish with these fish: The best option is with another telescope fish, within the wide variety that exists in this fish. For example, with a pearl scale goldfish. Golden lion heads and corridors are also fully compatible, as well as cardinal tetras, although you should be careful with these, because sometimes the telescopes eat them.
Tips for caring for a telescope fish
- If you want them to reproduce, you will need a larger aquarium, 60-80 liters, without gravel and with a sponge filter. Enter one female and two or three males.
- When the eggs are fertilized, you should take them out and put them in another aquarium, so they don’t eat them. The fertilized ones have a light or dark yellow tone and the unfertilized ones are white and cover with fungi in 24 hours, so you should be careful to remove them. They will hatch in a week, and for ten days you should feed them with fry food and after ten days with live food and soaked dry food.
- Pay continuous attention to their eyes, as they are prone to getting infections in them.
- Do not make sudden movements in front of the aquarium glass, because they will be stressed, even more than normal in fish, due to poor vision.
