I have had two goldfish for about 3 months, why are they turning silver?

Answer 1

Goldfish tend to change colour depending on the type of water they are in as well as what they eat.

Don't use filtered water in their bowl, just tap water. Maybe try a different type of fish food and see if it makes any difference.

Answer 2

Hi
I was involved in breeding goldfish in Israel for several years so may be abale to shed some light...

When they hatch and begin to grow most goldfish are a bronze/green colour. They change colour at different rates. We sold fish at 1 inch which were just six weeks old. When these are netted from the fishponds they have to be sorted, as at this stage approximately 30% are still the bronze/green colour.

If these fish are returned to the ponds most will change to the typical gold within a few months. Economically it is often not viable to continue to feed these fish as the cost of maintaining them is more than is received at sale so they are disposed of as animal feed or used as fertiliser.. sad I know but this is farming

Some never do change they remain bronze. This was their original colour before they were selectively bred many years ago.

Some goldfish have been bred to be silver and gold this type is called 'Sarrasa' and the same applies to them. Environment and nutrition can play a part in the fishes colour but this can be mainpulated. The pattern of the fish cannot.

If you want to know what you are really getting you will have to buy a fish that is at least 6 months to a year old as the colour changes should have stopped by this time.

Hope this helps and enjoy your fish. Goldfish really are superb, tough little fish.

Answer 3

There are 4 reasons for a goldfish to lose color.

1) They're young, and still coming into their mature coloration. This should last about 6 - 8 months.

2) They're in shock, or stressed, due to temperature, disease, rough handling, or overcrowding.

3) They're not recieving enough sunlight. Goldfish will lose color if they don't recieve enough light, much like humans and their tans.

4) Goldfish will lose color with age. It shouldn't be rapid though, and they shouldn't go completely silver unless they were very pale during younger years.

Answer 4

Goldfish do change colors it all depends on what kind of goldfish you have and what size tank they live in or a pond. keep it clean once a week if they are in a bowl . in a pond let it go and they will be fine. keep your water tested for amonia. If you keep the amonia level down everything will be ok. let there colors come out as they do. buy some more expensive goldfish they wont change color. dont buy anything cheap.

Answer 5

Goldfish will change color and size according to their environment. The larger the space, the bigger they get. It also depends on how much sunlight they have and the quality of the water.

Answer 6

don't worry i bought my goldfish 9 yrs ago and one of mine turned silver after a few months it wont make nay difference mine are huge now and doing great my silver one is bigger then my gold one so its nothing i think its just they way they are

Answer 7

lol @ croydonchippy - i'll have to say that next time a customer asks me the same question
most goldfish/oranda will change colour in their lives its nothing you've done and won't cause them any harm

Answer 8

youve bought the 4 month silver fish

Answer 9

It's a protest at their poor living conditions. Listen to their needs, vary their diet and get them a pool table. They'll soon be as gold as a shiny new piece of gold.

Answer 10

A decease