We have 2 black moors and their color is changing, I am concerned that this is a bad sign. Any Ideas?

Question

Not experience fish owner, so help. They are in a 10 gallon tank, I have the filter that came w/ tank along with everything else. AM I missing something else? We just got them on Easter so trying to learn all I can. This is freaking me out, I read if not cared for right they can get real sick and die. Dont want that! Color is turning gray on some areas of their body, is this normal?

Answer 1

well, now .... all the other advise aside, what you are seeing it perfectly normal in Moors. Black is a very recessive color in goldfish and therefore is quite prone to "reverting back" so to speak. As they age many Moors start to lose much of the black and become more gray and eventually more and more bronze - gold colored. Totally normal.

Others are right, the fish will need much more space as they grow. An adult moor needs about 15-20 gallons so the minimum tank size for two adults should be about a 30 gallon.

Sound like you are doing fine, just be prepared to get a larger tank fairly soon or trade in the moors for a smaller species of fish.

MM

Answer 2

Here's the lowdown on goldfish: they need about 10 gallons per fish. The reason for that isn't so much the size of the fish, but the bioload they put out. They put a LOT of ammonia into the water. Do you have a tester kit? For new aquariums you'll need at minimum a test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. The fish are currently cycling your tank. The first week or so, ammonia enters the tank through the exhalations from the gills, urine, feces and uneaten fish food. Ammonia is toxic to the fish. It burns their skin, eyes and gills. After the ammonia spikes, a new bacteria shows up: nitrite. It's also toxic. Nitrite usually stays in the tank another few weeks, building until it peaks. Nitrite destroys the fish's ability to use oxygen, thus they asphyxiate. After the nitrite peak, the nitrate bacteria forms in your filter media, gravel, decor etc. This eats the nitrite. Perfect levels are 20 ppm or under. This is the good bacteria that completes the cycling.
This tank is new and is still cycling causing stress on the fish. Is the filter a hang on the tank type? Or internal? Or is it an undergravel filter. Undergravel filters are not suitable for fish with high bioloads. Plus..they tend to harbor a lot of toxins underneath.
During cycling, frequent water changes are necessary (but don't clean out the filter) to get rid of the built up toxins.
Eventually, you'll have to upgrade to at least a 20 gallon tank with a 30 gallon suitable filter.

Answer 3

Most likely a water quality issue. Take a sample of the water to an aquarium shop for testing. Make sure they check Ammonia, Nitrite and Ph. Since you say you just got them on Easter, my guess is that these levels especialy ammonia and nitrite are high due to "new tank sysndrome". Once you set up a tank, it takes 4-6 weeks for the filter to build up GOOD bacteria that decomposes fish waste and eliminate Ammonia and Nitrite naturally. Once that bacteria population is sufficient for the fish load, these chemical come down naturally.

Your first step is to change 50% of the water immediately and take a sample both before and after water change to an aquarium shop for that test.

The grey spots are an increase in body slime that the fish are producing in respone to the stress of water quality. Luckily black moors are black and the body slime shows up very well against that dark background.

Good luck

Answer 4

The Black Moor Goldfish is extremely a black version of the Telescope Goldfish, nevertheless the eyes often do no longer protrude as a techniques by using fact the Telescope. So there could be a raffle they could replace coloration if he seems happy and healthful i could'nt subject too lots

Answer 5

you are probably changing too much of the water too often, moors are another version of goldfish, which means they poop a lot, which unfortunately also means their owners try to keep the tanks clean, and end up hurting the fish. leave the water alone for 2 weeks and use a net to scoop up the poop and left over food and please do not add any chemicals, you only have a 10 gallon tank.

Answer 6

You should be very worried. This might be a sign of your fish being sick. I would try describing if they are eating well. If they are eating well you shouldnt be worried.