How to Identify and Take Care of Calico Moor Fish

Calico Moors (carassius auratus) belong to the family Cyprinidae and is native to Asia. This species is a variety of fancy goldfish, and like most goldfish, is a hardy coldwater fish that is relatively easy to care for. It is favored by many aquarists as pet fish for its vibrant, variegated, calico coloring.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish tank Filter and heater Aquarium gravel (one pound per gallon) Pump (optional) Basic test kits (pH, dH) Fish tank decorations Special goldfish food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Identify your fish as calico moors to help ensure that you provide proper care. This fish has a mottled calico patterning of red, gold, white and black. It has long and flowing caudal, dorsal and anal fins, and its paired fins are well formed. It has distinctively protruding telescope eyes and pompons on the nose. The males develop white tubercules on the gill covers and leading rays of the pectoral fins when they are ready to spawn.

    • 2

      House your calico moors in a 36-gallon aquarium. Clean out the tank if it is newly acquired. (See Resources below on how to clean a fishtank.)

    • 3

      Set up the aquarium for calico moor goldfish. Rinse the aquarium gravel with hot water and spread a three-inch layer in the tank. Plant some live and/or fake plants if desired, as well as rocks and driftwood.

    • 4

      Install an aquarium filter to maintain the quality of water in this tank. Attach your heater to the tank, setting it to maintain the water temperature at 60-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees Celsius).

    • 5

      Maintain optimum water conditions for calico moor goldfish, which need tank water to stay within the range of 6.5 to 8.0 pH, and water hardness of between 4 to 20 dH. Monitor these water conditions with the aquarium test kits on a regular basis.

    • 6

      Feed your pet calico moors with a special flake food that is developed for fancy goldfish. This is available at your local pet store. While calico moors are omnivores that will accept both meat and plant material, they do need special nutrition provided by the special goldfish food preparations.

    • 7

      Provide your calico moor with some tank mates. These can be fellow moors such as black moors and calico moors or other goldfish varieties. If you keep other types of fish in the same tank, go for non-aggressive species such as platies and white cloud mountian minnows.