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AquA AnimaniA is your #1 local source for Telescope Goldfish. The eyes are a most curious characteristic of the Telescope Goldfish.Their large eyes are set on top of long telescope or cone-like stalks mounted on the sides of its head. On some fish these stalks can extend out as far as 3/4 of an inch (19 – 20 cm), but they don’t really start to protrude until these fish are about 6 months old. It is believed the Telescope Goldfish were first developed in China in the early 1700’s and were called the Dragon Eye Goldfish or Dragonfish. Later in that century they were produced in Japan and were given the name Demekin, which the Japanese still call them today.

Rather than having the long slender body of the Common Goldfish or the Shubunkins, this is one of the more rounded or egg-shaped fancy gold fish. Other than its eyes, and being slightly smaller, a basic Telescope Goldfish is very similar to the Fantail Goldfish. The body is short and stubby, the head is very wide, and they have a split caudal fin (tail fin) that is moderate in length and slightly forked.

Today they are also available with long flowing fins and a couple other tail fin styles: veil tail, broadtail, and butterfly tail. There are many different colors in both metallic and nacreous scale types, but seldom in a matte scale type. These include solids of red, blue, chocolate, or white; tri-colored and calico; and bi-colored versions in red/white and black/white. The bi-colored black/white version is affectionately known as the Panda Telescope Goldfish and there is a unique chocolate version with orange pompoms. The well known, and very popular Black Moor Goldfish is basically a black version of the Telescope Goldfish though its eyes don’t protrude quite as far.

Like the Black Moor the Telescope Goldfish have the ability to live at colder temperatures, but unlike their cousin they are not considered a good beginner fish. This is not because they lack general hardiness, but rather because of their more extremely telescopic eyes. Their eyes cause them to have poor vision so they are not a good competitor for food, and their eyes are subject to injury and infection. These fish will thrive best housed with the other similarly handicapped including the Black Moor and the less hardy Bubble Eye Goldfish Lionhead Goldfish, and Celestial Goldfish.

The Telescope Goldfish are not considered a good beginner fish. This is not because they lack general hardiness, but rather because of their more extremely telescopic eyes. Besides causing them to have poor vision, their eyes are subject to injury and infection. They are very undemanding of water quality and temperature. They can do well in a goldfish bowl, an aquarium, or even a pond if the environment is safe, well maintained, and have tank mates that are not competitive. When it comes to feeding, they will not thrive well with fast competitive tank mates.

Many people will keep goldfish in small one or two gallon bowls with no heater or filtration. But for the best success in keeping goldfish, provide them the same filtration, especially biological filtration, that other aquarium residents enjoy. Be careful when netting these fish, as their eyes are easily damaged. When it comes to feeding, they will not thrive well with fast competitive tank mates.

Since they are omnivorous, the Telescope Goldfish will generally eat all kinds of fresh, frozen, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), blood worms, Daphnia, or tubifex worms as a treat. It is usually better to feed freeze-dried foods as opposed to live foods to avoid parasites and bacterial infections that could be present in live foods. Due to the protruding eyes they have poor vision and a harder time seeing their food, so need extra time to feed.

Regular weekly water changes of 1/4 to 1/3 is strongly recommended to keep these fish healthy. Snails can be added as they reduce the algae in the tank, helping to keep it clean.

Goldfish are very social animals and thrive in a community. Not only are they a great community fish but they are great scavengers as well. The Telescope Goldfish, along with the Black Moor Goldfish, Bubble Eye Goldfish, and the Celestial Goldfish, are all visually handicapped. They cannot readily compete for food with other types of goldfish so may not fare well if housed with them, but they will do well housed together. Goldfish are great scavengers, so it is really not necessary to add other scavengers or other bottom feeders to the aquarium when you have goldfish.

AquA AnimaniA is your #1 local source for Telescope Goldfish and other pond fish, freshwater fish and saltwater fish, plus a wide variety of small animals, pets, amphibians, reptiles and more! To properly care for your pets, we also carry a comprehensive and extensive line of pet supplies including equipment, foods, treats, aquariums, tanks, cages, supplies and toys for dogs, cats, birds, small animals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, exotic pets and critters.

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Updated: June 19 2018

 

About AquA AnimaniA

AquA AnimaniA is your #1 local source for a wide variety of family pets, birds, small animals, aquarium fish, pond fish, amphibians and more! To properly care for your pets, we have expert advise on hand to help you with all your pets and water related needs. We also carry a comprehensive and extensive line of aquariums, live aquarium plants, live coral, aquarium supplies, ponds & supplies, plus countless pet supplies, including accessories, equipment, foods, treats, toys for dogs & puppies, cats & kittens, birds, amphibians, reptiles, aquarium fish, pond fish, small animals, exotic pets and other critters.