Telescope Goldfish

Looks how to spot one

Scaled, deep-bodied twin-tailed goldfish with protruding telescope eyes

A rounded, deep-bodied goldfish shaped much like a fantail, with long flowing fins and a double tail. Its big, globe-like eyes stand out on either side of the head. Fin length varies, from veiled forms to broad-tailed and short-finned types such as the 'China doll'.13

Personality what they are like

Calm and peaceful. Its sight is limited, so it does best with other gentle, slower fancy goldfish such as bubble eyes and celestials rather than fast single-tailed goldfish.13

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderate. A steady swimmer that appreciates wide, open space and gentle flow.14

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Needs a good filter, regular partial water changes with dechlorinated, temperature-matched water, and routine tests showing zero ammonia and nitrite. Choose smooth rocks and soft or silk plants to suit its prominent eyes.45

Home where they are happiest

Keep in a filtered aquarium, not a bowl. Aqueon suggests at least 40 litres (10 US gallons) per adult fancy goldfish, while the RSPCA advises at least 60 litres per goldfish, with wider tanks giving more stable water. Fancy goldfish are comfortable at about 20-23 °C (Aqueon gives 68-74 °F), and the RSPCA notes goldfish in general live at 10-21 °C without a heater. A pH of roughly 6.0-8.4 is fine (FishBase gives 6.0-8.0, Aqueon 7.0-8.4).546

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivore. Offer a goldfish flake, granule or sinking pellet once or twice a day, only as much as is eaten in two to three minutes, with frozen or live foods as occasional treats. Give it time at feeding so it can find its share.56

Company who they like around

A sociable fish that likes company; FishBase suggests goldfish in groups of five or more. Ideal companions are other telescope, bubble eye and celestial goldfish.61

The story where it all began

Chinese breeders developed telescope-eyed goldfish, first called 'dragon eyes', in the early 1700s, though black forms are said to go back further. The type reached Japan, where it is called demekin, and later Europe and North America, arriving in the USA in the 1800s.1

Recognised by the official bits

Taxonomy

Twin-tailed fancy goldfish variety with protruding eyes; the black form is called the Black Moor and the black-and-white form the Panda Moor1

IUCN Red List

The parent species Carassius auratus is assessed as Least Concern6