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If you’re a goldfish fanatic, you probably already know about the Black Moor Goldfish due to its popularity and availability in most fish shops. But are you familiar with its cousin, the Panda Moor? It’s a relatively new breed, so it’s no surprise that many people have never heard of this cute goldfish variety. Here’s everything that you need to know about the Panda Moor Goldfish!
Quick Facts About Panda Moor Goldfish
| Species Name: | Carassius auratus |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Temperature: | 65–74°F |
| Temperament: | Peaceful, social |
| Color Form: | Black and white |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Size: | 4–8 inches |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 10 gallons, 20 recommended |
| Tank Set-Up: | Cool, freshwater tank; community tank |
| Compatibility: | Other fancy goldfish, White Cloud Mountain minnows |
Panda Moor Goldfish Overview
The Black Moor Goldfish was developed in China in the 1700s, but the Panda Moor is a new iteration. This fish is named for its black and white coloration, but it is otherwise the same shape, size, and general appearance as the Black Moor.
They are social, peaceful goldfish that may have trouble competing with faster tank mates for food. Since they are cool-water fish, there are limitations on the tank mates they can have, but they are suitable additions to most community tanks.
The Panda Moor may be a newer goldfish variety, but it has rapidly grown in popularity. This cute fish can sell for up to $5,000 for a show-quality specimen! They are loved for their beautiful telescope eyes and panda bear colors. They also have the social and fun temperament of most goldfish.
How Much Do Panda Moor Goldfish Cost?
Although show-quality Panda Moors can sell for up to $5,000, you shouldn’t have to spend that much when you purchase one for your home aquarium. You can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $80 for a pet-quality Panda Moor, though. The cost will be dependent on where the fish comes from and the quality of its breeding. Panda Moors in pet shops are likely to be less expensive, but they also may have a higher risk of carrying parasites and diseases than fish that come from professional breeders.
Typical Behavior & Temperament
Like most goldfish varieties, the Panda Moor is friendly and social. It’s known to have the ability to recognize patterns and faces and be trained to perform simple tricks for food. It has the ability to recognize the person who feeds it, and it’s not uncommon to spot a goldfish begging for food when it sees that person.
Appearance & Varieties
There is only one variety of the Panda Moor goldfish, which is black and white. This coloration can vary in patterns on different fish. A Panda Moor’s colors and patterning may also change with age, though it usually retains its black-and-white coloration throughout its life.
This fish has a rounded, egg-shaped body and a double tail like the Black Moor. It has protruding, telescope eyes, which are prone to injury. Males tend to be slimmer and less rounded in appearance than females.
How to Take Care of Panda Moor Goldfish
Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup
There is obviously a lot more to keeping fish than just tossing them in a bowl with some water. Here is everything you need to keep your Panda Moor happy.
Tank Size
There is a lot of disagreement among people in the fish community about the appropriate tank size for all types of goldfish. Some people feel they need at least 30 gallons, while others are comfortable keeping them in tanks down to 10 gallons. The main issue at hand with tank size is that goldfish create a heavy bioload, so without powerful filtration and routine water changes, the water quality can quickly become poor, leading to illness, stress, and death.
If you are not able to commit to routine maintenance for your Panda Moor, you need to stick to a bigger aquarium. You should also consider adding a filter rated for a tank size larger than yours.
Water Quality & Conditions
Like all fish, the Panda Moor requires high water quality, though this is a relatively hardy fish that can tolerate poor water quality better than many other types of fish. That doesn’t mean that your fish should be subjected to poor water quality, though. The water should be free of nitrite and ammonia, with nitrate levels below 20–40 ppm. It prefers a relatively neutral pH level, so aim for a pH level between 6.5 and 8.0, with 7.0–7.5 being ideal.
Substrate
The substrate you select can be important for a Panda Moor because sharp edges, like with gravel, can damage its eyes. Stick to soft substrates that won’t be damaging, like aquarium soil, fine sand, or smooth river rocks. Many people choose to not have a substrate with their goldfish at all.
Plants
The plants you have will depend on the substrate and décor you have in the tank. In a bare-bottom tank, some people use pots and plant weights to keep live plants without substrate. There are many types that can be suitable for a Panda Moor tank, including Anubias, Ludwigia, java fern, java moss, and Amazon swords.
Lighting
The Panda Moor needs a regular day/night lighting cycle. Your tank light should be powerful enough to maintain the live plants you select for your tank, though. Natural lighting from windows can be enough lighting for your goldfish in a well-lit room, but a tank light is the ideal way to ensure proper light is provided every day, regardless of external factors.
Filtration
Goldfish create a heavy bioload in their tank, so strong filtration is necessary, especially in a smaller tank. Your Panda Moor’s filter should be at least rated for the size of the tank that it lives in, and many people choose to size up to a larger filter to help offset the bioload. Hang-on-back and canister filters are the best options for any type of goldfish, but sponge filters and internal filters can function as secondary filtration to maintain high water quality.
Are Panda Moor Goldfish Good Tank Mates?
Panda Moors are peaceful fish that make excellent tank mates. The biggest issue with the Panda Moor in a community tank is that it’s slow and not particularly agile. This means some tank mates that are suitable for slim-bodied goldfish, like Dojo loaches, are likely going to outcompete your Panda Moor for food. Even slim-bodied and fast-moving fancy goldfish can outcompete a Panda Moor for food. Stick to other egg-bodied fancy goldfish or a small shoal of White Cloud Mountain minnows, though you will still need to ensure that your goldfish gets enough to eat.
As with all new fish, your Panda Moor should be quarantined before being added to the main tank, especially if there are already other fish in the tank. This will enable you to monitor for signs of parasites and illnesses and treat them prophylactically to prevent the spread of illnesses.
What to Feed Your Panda Moor Goldfish
Panda Moor goldfish are omnivores that love to scavenge for food. They need to be fed at least once per day. If your goldfish eats all the food offered, it can be fed twice per day. Overfeeding will decrease water quality, though. Your fish should be fed a high-quality pellet as the base of its diet, and it can be provided with many types of treats. Bloodworms, brine shrimp, and black soldier fly larvae make good treats for goldfish.
They can also be given fresh fruits and vegetables, like zucchini, cucumber, apple, and banana. Leafy greens, like spinach and romaine lettuce, and herbs, like cilantro and parsley, tend to be big hits. These greens are also good treat options because they enable your goldfish to “scavenge” for its food throughout the day. Make sure to remove uneaten fresh foods within 12 hours.
Keeping Your Panda Moor Goldfish Healthy
Poor water quality is the top issue leading to illnesses and problems for Panda Moors and all aquarium fish. The best way to keep your fish healthy is to maintain excellent water quality through water treatments, changes, and filtration. Also, provide your pet with a high-quality, varied diet.
Keep its environment free of dangers and stressors, and separate out any fish that seem to be bullying. Try to check over your fish thoroughly at least a few times per week to look for any visible injuries, growths, or markings.
Breeding
When goldfish breed, the male will chase the female, bumping her near her vent in an attempt to get her to release eggs. Breeding is usually stimulated by a change from cooler to warmer water temperatures, like what occurs in the spring, so maintaining a steady, cool water temperature may prevent breeding.
Once the female releases her eggs, the male will fertilize them. The eggs cannot be kept in the tank with the parents. They will eat the eggs, and any eggs that do survive and hatch will likely result in the fry getting eaten. A spawning mop, which can be things like fabric and plants, can be used to capture the eggs so they can easily be moved to a separate tank.
Are Panda Moor Goldfish Suitable for Your Aquarium?
The Panda Moor is a lovely goldfish variety that is social and peaceful, making it suitable for community tanks. Its need for cool water and its slow movements do mean that tank mates should be selected with care. With proper care, including excellent water quality, a Panda Moor can live to be 15 years old or more, so it’s not a short-term commitment.
These fish are beautiful, and each has a unique black-and-white pattern. Their telescope eyes and flowy fins are highly sought after, so these fish can be somewhat pricey, even just to be kept as pets. You may be able to find a low-quality Panda Moor in a pet store, but a breeder and online retailer will likely be the easiest place to find one of these fish.
Featured Image Credit: hxdbzxy, Shutterstock
