What Do Baby Black Moor Fish Look Like? (Fantails Too)

If you’ve ever bred Black Moor fish, you may be wondering what the fry, or baby fish, look like. Black Moors are one of the more popular fancy goldfish breeds due to their distinctive features and calm, peaceful temperament. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what baby Black Moor fish look like and what to expect during their early stages of life.

What Are Black Moor Fish?

Black Moor fish are a type of fancy goldfish characterized by their jet-black color and telescope-like eyes. These fish belong to the carp family and are known for their flowing fins, rounded body, and unique appearance. Despite their black coloration, they are closely related to gold-colored goldfish and can display various traits as they grow.

What Do Black Moor Fry Look Like?

When Black Moor fish fry first hatch, they don’t resemble the adult fish that you might recognize. Instead, they share more similarities with standard goldfish fry. Here’s what you can expect at different stages of their development:

One Small Fish In Breeder Net — Spot, The Fish

1. Newly Hatched Fry

Size: At birth, Black Moor fry are tiny—typically no more than a few millimeters long.
Color: At this stage, baby Black Moors aren’t black at all. They start out a pale, almost translucent color, often appearing white or light grey. It’s natural to be surprised when you don’t see the characteristic black coloring immediately.
Shape: The fry have slender bodies and lack the rounded shape that adult Black Moors are known for. They also don’t have the distinctive telescope eyes, which develop later.

2. Growth After a Few Weeks

Body Shape Development: After about two to three weeks, you’ll notice the fry begin to develop more goldfish-like characteristics, such as slightly fuller bodies. However, they will still lack the features of an adult Black Moor.
Coloration Changes: As they grow, the fry will begin to darken in color, but it can take several months before they develop the deep black hue of adult Black Moor fish.
Eye Development: Their eyes will begin to bulge as they mature, although fully developed telescope eyes don’t appear until later stages in life.

When Do Black Moors Turn Black?

Patience is key when raising Black Moor fry. The distinct black color can take several months to develop. Most fry will start showing signs of darkening after the first month, but it may take up to a year before they reach the full, rich black coloration associated with this breed.

In some cases, not all fry will turn black. This can depend on genetics, water conditions, and diet. Occasionally, you may find fry that retain a bronze or goldish hue, which is normal in some cases.

Distinguishing Between Black Moor Fry and Other Fancy Goldfish Fry

Two Fish In Tank With Plants — Barry, The Fish

If you are breeding Black Moors along with other fancy goldfish, it can be challenging to distinguish between the fry of different species early on. Most fancy goldfish fry look similar, especially when they are first born. As the fry grow, you’ll start to notice key differences:

Body Shape: Black Moor fry will develop a more rounded, compact body compared to some other goldfish breeds.
Eye Shape: The telescope eyes, while not fully developed, will start to become more noticeable after a few months.
Color: The slow darkening process of Black Moor fry helps them stand out as they develop.

How to Care for Black Moor Fry

Successfully raising Black Moor fry requires proper care and attention. Here are a few essential tips:

Water Conditions: Keep the water clean and ensure it is well-filtered, but avoid strong currents that could stress the fry.
Diet: In the early stages, fry should be fed infusoria or liquid fry food. As they grow, introduce baby brine shrimp, followed by finely crushed fish food once they are large enough.
Temperature: Maintain a consistent water temperature of around 22-24°C (71-75°F) to promote healthy growth.
Tank Size: Ensure the fry have enough space to grow without overcrowding. A fry-rearing tank is often ideal for their early weeks.

Conclusion

Baby Black Moor fish may not look like their adult counterparts at first, but with proper care and time, they will develop their iconic black color and unique features. Raising Black Moor fry can be a rewarding experience, especially as you watch them transform from pale, fragile fry into beautiful, full-grown fancy goldfish.

If you’re considering breeding Black Moors or already have baby fry, remember to be patient as the transition from fry to adult can take several months. With a little care, you’ll soon have a tank full of healthy, thriving Black Moor fish.