8 Best Black Moor Tank Mates – FishLab

Wondering which fish would make the greatest companion to the black moor? Look no further! We’ve got the best black moor goldfish tank mates ready for you to browse through.

The best black moor tank mates are fish that can survive in just the same water parameters such as temperature and hardness, without over-competing for food or causing one another undue stress from conflicting temperaments. Some of these fish include the rosy barb and the bronze corydora.

In this article we’ll go over all of the best tank mates for black moor goldfish. We’ll walk you through why these fish are compatible and what you can expect from adding them to your tank. We’ll also show you a brief overview of what a black moor needs in tank mates. Let’s get started!

Black Moor Tank Mates – What You Need to Know

Below, you will discover all that is important to remember about your black moor and what those facts have to tell you about the type of tank mates you should choose.

Temperament

Temperament is one of the most important things to take into account when picking out tank mates. Just like human roommates need to be able to get along with each other, fish are happiest and healthiest when they aren’t constantly fighting with their tank mates.

Luckily, black moors are very peaceful. It does not matter how many other fish there are. As long as the tank is big enough, black moors are some of the friendliest and even-tempered fish out there. All you need to do is find fish that have that same laid-back personality and avoid those that can be aggressive or territorial.

Size

A black moor has many distinctive traits, but the most important one to keep in mind when looking for tank mates is size. A black moor can reach up to 8 inches in length, though they are pretty round and look more like large floating black eggs when they reach adulthood.

Still, in order to avoid potential fish-on-fish snacking, make sure tank mates are around the same size as your black moor.

Competition

Don’t let their color fool you; black moors are part of the goldfish family, so they eat goldfish flakes, especially when it comes to beginner fish owners. A black moor goldfish enjoys eating twice a day.

If you want the safest tank mates, be sure they do not over-compete for the same food. Find tank mates that eat at the bottom of the tank, for example, or tank mates that are uninterested in the same types of food that the black moor gets.

Proper Diet

When it comes to feeding, black moors are fairly unfussy. They’ll happily gobble down high-quality flake foods designed specifically for goldfish. My personal practice is to feed them premium flakes twice a day, making sure they consume it all within a few minutes.

Supplement their diet with blanched veggies, bloodworms, and brine shrimp to add nutritional variety.

I’ve found that sinking pellets are a great addition, ensuring that your tank’s bottom dwellers aren’t left out during feeding time. But remember, overfeeding can lead to waste accumulation and compromise water quality.

Water Conditions

For optimal water conditions, I always recommend keeping the pH close to neutral, around 7.0, and maintaining water hardness between 5-12 dGH.

Black moors are especially sensitive to poor water conditions, so efficient filtration and aeration are non-negotiables. Make it a routine to test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels, taking corrective action through water changes as necessary.

Suitable Decorations

When working on my black moor tank setup, the goal is always to mimic their natural habitat as closely as possible.

Incorporate elements like smooth, rounded river rocks and driftwood pieces that provide hiding spots and visually break up the tank space. For plants, go for hardy varieties like java fern, anubias, and hornwort, which can endure a bit of goldfish nibbling.

If natural plants aren’t your thing, plastic plants can serve as a substitute. The key is to arrange these elements in a way that leaves plenty of open swimming areas while offering a sense of security.

Parameters & Tank Setup

Finally, the key to the best tank mates for black moor fish is finding friends that enjoy the same kind of environment. You will need fish that can survive in temperatures between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only that, but the fish should be happy in a tank with several plants to play in, yet considerable room for swimming, too.

Compatibility Challenges

In addition to size, temperament, and dietary needs, it’s crucial to consider less obvious factors when choosing black moor tank mates.

• Territorial Behavior

Some fish can be territorial, leading to unnecessary stress for both parties involved.

• Breeding Complications

Different species may require distinct conditions for breeding, creating a disruptive environment.

• Dietary Clashes

Be cautious when pairing species with drastically different diets, as it could lead to competition or dietary imbalances.

• Activity Levels

Mismatched activity levels can lead to stress. A highly active fish might overwhelm a more laid-back species like the Black Moor.

By being mindful of these challenges, you’re more likely to create a harmonious living situation for your aquatic pets.

Best Black Moor Tank Mates

1. Bronze Corydoras

2. Zebra Danio

3. Kuhli Loach

4. Rosy Barb

5. Common Molly

6. White Cloud Mountain Minnow

7. Dwarf Gourami

8. Hillstream Loach

Let’s examine each of these potential tank mates more closely!

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1. Bronze Corydoras

• Scientific Name: Corydoras aeneus
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Compatible With: Black Moor
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina

Bronze Corydoras are named for (you guessed it!) their coloration. Though they are usually a muted brown in color, they do sometimes feature a green or greenish tint, which earns them their other name, the “emerald cory.”

Bronze corys are bottom-dwellers. This is good news for both you and your black moor; they will keep to themselves all while cleaning up the bottom of your tank! They pose no threat to the peaceful black moor, but their more aerodynamic bodies do offer a bit more visual contrast to the black goldfish.

Pros of keeping with Black Moor:

• No aggression
• No food competition
• Cleans up bottom of the tank

Cons of keeping with Black Moor :

• None

2. Zebra Danio

• Scientific Name: Danio rerio
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Compatible With: Black Moor
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Eastern India

Also called the zebrafish, this little striped swimmer is just about as peaceful a choice as one could want for their black moor’s company. Zebra danios like to swim in groups for their own confidence, however, so you’ll need at least 4 or 5!

Zebrafish are tiny, shaped like little bullets. They are generally a slate but iridescent blue color striped horizontally with peachy pink that blends beautifully into yellow. Their fins are transparent, leaving only bright yellow eyes to shine in the water from the stripes.

Pros of keeping with Black Moor:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Black Moor :

• None!

3. Kuhli Loach

• Scientific Name: Pangio kuhlii
• Adult Size: 5 inches
• Compatible With: Black Moor
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Malay Peninsula, Indonesia

Kuhli loaches are some of the more fascinating options when it comes to choosing a tank mate. Kuhli loaches tend to look less like fish and more like eels, or even snakes! They’ll be an interesting visual contrast, coiled or spread near the bottom of the tank.

Kuhli loaches are generally a pale yellow color saddled with a darker brown, the spots looking like stripes. They will cause no problems for your black moor, and clean up detritus at the bottom of the tank.

Pros of keeping with Black Moor:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Black Moor :

• None

4. Rosy Barb

• Scientific Name: Puntius conchonius
• Adult Size: 6 inches
• Compatible With: Black Moor
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: India, Bengal

Rosy barbs are great to have in a tank full of other fish, not only because they wouldn’t harm a fly, but because they are great fun to watch. A rosy barb spends most of it’s time flitting in and out of plants, playing tag, and chasing it’s own tail!

Rosy barbs are named for their warm, fire-like coloration. They are small slices of gold under-toned with red and orange in the tank. They have a dorsal fin that seems spiky and spotted with black.

Pros of keeping with Black Moor:

• No aggression
• Fun to watch
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Black Moor :

• None

5. Common Molly

• Scientific Name: Poecilia sp.
• Adult Size: 3-5 inches
• Compatible With: Black Moor
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Mexico, Southern North America

Mollies are generally great fish to keep in tanks with a whole variety of tank mates, inluding the black moor. They come in many different types, colors, and shapes. The common molly lives to be about 5 years old, and enjoys the company of it’s own kind.

You can find mollies that are a solid black, keeping your black moor company, or albino mollies, or even orange and gold color types! Their fins come in several different varieties too. Between their peaceful natures and non-competitive approach to food, there really is a molly for every kind of tank.

Pros of keeping with Black Moor:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Black Moor :

• None

6. White Cloud Mountain Minnow

• Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes
• Adult Size: 1.5 inches
• Compatible With: Black Moor
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: China’s White Cloud Mountains

This minnow might come from one specific mountain range in China, but it is soaring to new heights of popularity among aquarists. This is because the white cloud mountain minnow is just super easy to care for. Beginners to the fish-collecting life will have very little trouble pleasing a white cloud mountain minnow.

One of the things that makes these minnows so easy to handle is how peaceful they are. In fact, white cloud mountain minnows will be downright happy to see your black moor goldfish because they are a highly social species!

These minnows aren’t truly white in coloration, being a sort of silver shot through with faint royal blue and peach-colored fins. However, they are no less beautiful and worthwhile having in your tank. You should consider getting more than one for this sociable minnow!

Pros of keeping with Black Moor:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Black Moor :

• None

7. Dwarf Gourami

• Scientific Name: Trichogaster Ialius
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Compatible With: Black Moor
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Assam, India, West Bengal, Bangladesh

The dwarf gourami is another great choice of tank mate for several varieties of fish, and especially the peaceful black moor. Dwarf Gouramis won’t bother your black moor for food, either, being satisfied with not only their own food but with cleaning up algae in the tank, too.

Dwarf gouramis come in a few variations such as gold or powder blue. They also have characteristic whiskers trailing from their raspberry-tinted heads for added visual interest! We highly recommend this fish as a tank mate for your black moor.

Pros of keeping with Black Moor:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Black Moor :

• None

8. Hillstream Loach

• Scientific Name: Sewellia lineolata
• Adult Size: 2.5 inches
• Compatible With: Black Moor
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Vietnam

Hillstream loaches are another pleasing visual contrast to have in the tank with the black moor. They are also known as “lizardfish,” and the more hard-to-pronounce “flossensaugers.” They may look unique, but that doesn’t mean they are ugly!

In fact, the calm-tempered hillstream loach is shaped a bit like a tiny stingray. It has a long body with a series of petal-like round fin shapes that help it maneuver in it’s favorite areas; the bottom of the tank!

While your hillstream loach is enchanting you with it’s ability to eat up detritus on the floor of the tank, it will also be showing off it’s adorably-shaped face, long tail, and beautiful leopard-like coloration and patterning. We can’t recommend this gentle bottom-dweller enough!

Pros of keeping with Black Moor:

• No aggression
• Cleans up bottom of the tank
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Black Moor :

• None

In Conclusion

To sum it all up, black moor tank mates need to be fish that thrive on the same warm waters as the black moor and don’t steal too much of the black moor’s share during meal time. The best tank mates for the black moor will also have similar temperaments.

You’ll need fish that are just as happy-go-lucky and friendly as the black moor in order to establish a peaceful tank full of fish. At the same time, they will need to be large enough to avoid becoming snacks, and small enough to never start thinking the black moor is their next meal. With this as your standard, you’ll have black moor tank mates in no time!