Telescope fish

The telescope fish is a real gem in the world of aquariums, with its unique and alluring appearance. Anybody looking into the tank will notice this fish, which is distinguished by its protruding eyes and flowing fins. However, this fish is more complex than its striking appearance.

Understanding a telescope fish’s particular requirements and personality is essential to proper care. These fish are living beings with certain needs that guarantee their health and well-being; they are not merely ornamental fish. Acquiring knowledge about telescope fish can enhance your aquarist experience, regardless of your level of expertise.

Everything you need to know about telescope fish will be covered in this article, from their physical traits and origins to the best ways to maintain their happiness and health in your aquarium.

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Characteristic	Description
Origin	Selective breeding of goldfish in China
Appearance	Large, protruding eyes and a round, short body
Color Variations	Black, red, calico, and other color patterns
Size	Up to 8 inches in length
Tank Requirements	At least 20 gallons per fish with gentle filtration
Water Temperature	65-75°F (18-24°C)
Diet	Omnivorous, eating flakes, pellets, and live food
Temperament	Peaceful, but slow-moving and best kept with similar fish

Telescopes in the natural environment

As it happened, telescopes and other goldfish are essentially the same when it comes to their origins. Like all things "golden," they are created through artificial breeding; you cannot come across one in the wild. The common wild crucian carp, which is common and inhabits stagnant bodies of water with slow currents, such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and canals, is the ancestor of the noble "golden" fish. This is an almost omnivorous resident that eats fry, plants, insects, and detritus.

China is the birthplace of goldfish, also known as "dragon eyes" or "dragon fish," and the first country to use black telescopes. They first became known in Japan at the end of the 15th century, where the fish are still referred to as "demikin." The fish were common and well-liked only in the Eastern countries for a considerable amount of time.

When goldfish and telescopes were introduced to Europe a century and a half later, P. Carbonnier, a French aquarist, was the first person to own a telescope. He began actively breeding these original fish that year, and the first fish were offered for sale. A.S. Meshchersky bought them, which is how demenkins ended up in the hands of Russian aquarists.

Due to the interest of domestic breeders in bulging-eyed fish, different varieties with varying color, fin shape, and size appeared as early as the first years of the 20th century. The remaining telescopes eventually made their way to America. Nevertheless, the majority of the current species of telescopes and goldfish originated in the East, and their appearance has remained largely unchanged ever since.

Where do telescopes get their bulging eyes from

In actuality, this physiological trait of the breed is a deviation from normal indicators—a deformity that the general public found appealing. Breeders made the decision to correct the peculiar eye structure in ensuing generations of ornamental aquarium residents.

Appearance of fish and colors

The telescope fish has an ovoid or round body that resembles a veiltail. This is how it varies from goldfish, which have a somewhat elongated body. Generally speaking, the only way to tell a telescope from a veiltail is by looking at them; otherwise, they resemble twin brothers. The telescope’s head is large, its body is shortened, and it has large eyes and fins.

These fish exist in numerous species nowadays, and demenkins are categorized according to the following criteria:

• shape and size of the fins – there are ribbon and skirt telescopes;
• shape of the scales – there are individuals whose body is covered with scales, as well as telescopes without them.

Regarding the hues, there is a remarkable range in their presentation:

1. Black telescope ("black moor") – is the most common species, its representatives have a small tail and elongated lateral fins.
2. Panda – a telescope, belonging to the "butterfly" breed, young individuals have a light body and brownish-bronze fins, which become white and black with age. The body is scaleless, velvety, but this quality can be lost in adults.
3. Orange – a solid color, can be of varying intensity.
4. Chintz – a white color with a blue tint, on which spots of various sizes are scattered. The spots can be red with black specks, black, white, yellow, less common individuals with pink, bluish or blue marks. The most valuable calico telescope with a bluish-blue color.
5. Red Chinese – a scaleless fish of a beautiful, scarlet color.
6. Magpie – fish with a white body and black fins.

These fish can have color changes depending on a number of factors, including age, nutrition, habitat, and even the color of the surrounding sediment. Furthermore, the eyes on telescopes can be spherical, conical, cylindrical, saucer-shaped, or spherical.

In an artificial reservoir, telescopes can reach a maximum length of 20 cm, while fish in an aquarium must be at least 10 cm in size. This species of goldfish can live up to 20 years in a pond, but only 10 to 15 years in an aquarium.

Difficulties of maintenance

It is not advised for novice aquarium keepers to begin producing telescope fish. First of all, the unique structure of the eyes is to blame for this rather than being fussy:

• fish have poor eyesight, so it is more difficult for them to find food;
• eyes are easily injured, and infection penetrates into them.

Telescopes are not fussy in any other way; they don’t need particular maintenance requirements and are quite modest.

How and what to feed telescope fish

Like all goldfish, demenkins are omnivorous and voracious, and while they frequently beg, this does not mean that the daily portion should be increased. Fish can be fed frozen, live, or artificial food; the latter can even serve as the pet’s main source of nutrition. Preferably, purchase granulated. As supplemental feeding, bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and tubifex are appropriate.

It should be noted that telescopes spend a lot more time eating than other fish because they have vision issues. Furthermore, they frequently excavate, which raises turbidity and dirt. Therefore, artificial food is also better in this situation because it doesn’t break down right away and doesn’t seep into the soil’s thickness.

Features of aquarium maintenance

Weekly replacement of 25 to 35% of the water is advised to ensure the fish’s wellbeing. Adding snails to the aquarium is also a good idea because they will limit the amount of algae and stop it from growing.

Regarding the parameters, they ought to be the following:

1. Size and shape of the container. Goldfish need a lot of oxygen and produce a decent amount of waste. Therefore, with a large surface area of ​​water, the risks of oxygen deficiency are reduced. And as you know, an elongated tank has a larger surface area than a tall one with the same volume. If the tank is round, it is better to fill it to half, and not to the brim. A 90-150 liter aquarium is suitable for one telescope. If the number of inhabitants increases, the space should be calculated in such a way that each fish has at least 40 liters. Beginners should immediately purchase a large tank or be prepared, if necessary, to purchase more spacious "apartments" for their charges. In a cramped container, the water will quickly become polluted, the fish may not have enough oxygen, and they will begin to get sick and die.
2. Aquarium lighting. Today, you can find a tank on sale that comes with a lid equipped with lighting elements. The lid is an important point that prevents moisture evaporation, and, despite the fact that telescopes are not inclined to jump out of the aquarium, such situations are completely excluded if the aquarium is covered. Lighting is not necessary for goldfish themselves, but it improves the quality of vegetation and makes the aquarium look more attractive.
3. Water filtration. As already noted, goldfish produce a lot of waste, so high-quality filtration, especially biological elements, is a prerequisite. It will help maintain high quality water in the tank. Thanks to the filtration system, most of the sediment, food remains and waste are removed. If the aquarium is clean, then its inhabitants are healthy and beautiful.
4. Tank decoration. The arrangement of the "house" for telescopes must be approached seriously. It should not contain rocks, stones and snags with sharp edges, which the blind fish can injure themselves on. Their unusual eyes are especially dangerous. The best decoration for an aquarium is plants, however, telescopes can dig up live vegetation by digging in the ground. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase greenery in pots or artificial products – not made of plastic, but with soft, silky leaves. The most suitable for goldfish is a medium-sized gravel bottom cover.
5. Temperature regime. All goldfish, including telescopes, love cool water. It is desirable that its temperature varies from 18° to 22°C. In general, these fish are quite hardy and can survive at temperatures above zero, as long as the temperature drops by several degrees per day. But a sharp drop in temperature can lead to the death of fish, so for comfortable adaptation it is better to use a heater.

Water flow movement is average; pH ranges from 6.0 to 8.0; water hardness is 5 to 19GH. Telescopes typically travel the entire tank without selecting a zone.

Telescope fish are a distinct and alluring variety of goldfish distinguished by their elegant swimming and big, projecting eyes. Because of their sensitive eyesight and unique water requirements, these fish are a fascinating but somewhat difficult choice for aquarium enthusiasts. As such, they require special care.

Who can telescopes get along with

Despite their phlegmatic appearance, telescopes are gregarious and active fish that do not engage in physical altercations with other residents. Therefore, these kinds of animals make the best company for them. However, it is best to avoid placing demenkins in a standard aquarium for the following reasons:

• they do not like high temperatures;
• they move slowly and have poor eyesight;
• their delicate fins can be torn off by more aggressive or nasty neighbors;
• they are not the cleanest inhabitants and they litter a lot.

It is not advisable to use telescopes on territorial or quickly settling fish since this can harm goldfish. Sucker fish are also unsuitable for cohabitation. Traveling is not an issue for Gerinocheilus, Ancistrus, or Pterygoplichthys, as they feed on slower-moving inhabitants. These excursions have a negative impact on the carrier’s health because the fish’s skin is easily infected and has damage and even bleeding wounds on it.

Living alongside related species is optimal for telescopes.

• veiltail;
• shubunkin (shubunkin);
• goldfish.

Nonetheless, it is preferable to rule out the following candidates right away:

• Sumatran barbs;
• ternetia;
• Denison barbs;
• Tetragonopterus.

Differences between males and females

Before spawning, it is nearly impossible to determine if the fish in front of you is a female or a male. Males develop white tubercles on their heads and gill covers during the spawning season, while females have a noticeable rounder appearance.

Like all goldfish, telescopes spawn by laying eggs, and it is best to keep the parents apart for the sake of the progeny. As soon as the fry hatch, put the parents back in the shared tank because they have engaged in cannibalism.

Diseases of telescope fish

The diseases to which all tropical fish are susceptible can affect these fish as well. The following illnesses are the most prevalent:

• scabies;
• swim bladder pathologies;
• parasites: lerneosis, lice, etc.

Eye conditions are the most common issues with telescopes. Corneal opacity can occur as a result of inadequate, unbalanced diet and living conditions. appears as a grayish cloud, a white patch, or a full-blown cataract. Such pathology may also be caused by trauma, bacterial or fungal infections, or vitamin deficiencies.

Telescope is a unique fish with unusual eyes and an opulent appearance. These inhabitants of aquariums continue to be popular, and even the challenges they face do not deter passionate aquarists.

Photos of telescope fish

A unique and fascinating addition to any aquarium are telescope fish. They are a unique option for fish enthusiasts due to their large, projecting eyes and flowing fins.

However, special consideration must be given to the upkeep of telescope fish. Their sensitive eyes are easily hurt, and they require a clean environment to survive. For their health, it is crucial to maintain clean water and a balanced diet.

Telescope fish may live long, healthy lives and add beauty and happiness to your aquarium with the correct care. Many aquarists love them for their gentle nature and captivating appearance.

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