How come a goldfish a goldfish when they are orange?

Question

Just wondered!!

Answer 1

It is the monotonic orange translucence of the scales and skins underneath a Goldfish that give it its bright golden appearance. In parts a Goldfish appears to be silvery but predominantly it gives out a golden shine.
There is also an old fable about golden fish of rivers that when encountered would ask people for their three wishes, or something like this. Put these together and you get a beautiful creature in your house in the bowl that you like to call a Goldfish.
Besides, mummy Goldfish would not settle for anything less.

Answer 2

Actually goldfish are carp, and they are only orange or yellow if kept in a small bowl or tank. The more space they are given, the bigger they will grow, and their colour will pale out and then they turn a muddy dark colour (protective colouring).
Carp are fresh water pond or river fish. They have been hybridized for centuries in the Orient to achieve certain colours and conformations, but if you release them into a large pond or lake they grow like mad and turn dark-coloured.

Answer 3

Some goldfish over in Japan actually are gold.

Answer 4

Goldfish come is many different colors and combinations of, including black, red, yellow, white and orange.

Answer 5

Goldfish sounds a lot more upmarket than orange fish....although of course we do have a lemon sole which is brown and silver!

Answer 6

No, goldfish are not,orange, the are gold coloured, that's why they are called goldfish

Answer 7

I'll answer with a question:

If an orange is called an orange, why isn't a lemon called a yellow? Why isn't a lime called a green?

I know this doesn't help, but just wondered.

Answer 8

I think the person who named them goldfish was color blind. Same thing with Yellow Truck line. Their trucks are orange.

Answer 9

i have 4 goldfish and each one is a shade different

Answer 10

It's easier to say "goldfish" than "orangefish!"