Does anyone know why a goldfish might turn white?

Question

It used to be bright orange but it now has white patches all over it, which are getting bigger. It's about a year and a half old- any ideas?

Answer 1

getting old...slowing dying

Answer 2

It's one of two things. Natural aging (not necessarily dying) or an infection.

Mine developed white patches afetr a couple of years, then they eventually turned white. They lived for years and were fine happy fish.

You should be able to see whether it's an infection. Are they trying to scratch the patches by rubbing against things? Is there any sign of growths?

You can get fish medicine for a couple of quid in the pet shop. I swore by 'Disease Safe' (it had a picture of a goldfish in an tank with a hankie around it's head and a thermometer in it's mouth). Personally I'd put some in the tank just in case, it won't do any harm. But I think in your case it's just the fish growing up.

Answer 3

Gold fish need a special diet to stay golden in colour, if not, In Northern light, they will they revert back to thier normal colour, that of a carp, which is greyish.

White patches is a bit more worrying,

is it Ich? Ichtyopthirius is the most common of all the diseases. It is actually a parasite that attaches to the goldfish when they are stressed. When they attach themselves they are feeding off the goldfish, they look like little grains of salt. After a day or two they fall off the goldfish, landing in the gravel. They procede to lay their eggs and then the cycle starts all over again. This can be deadly if not taken care of and they will rapidly reproduce.

if its not slimy, then you may be lucky, see the link, most can be treated with products if caught early.

Hopefully it is just diet, and as soon as you start using an especially formulated feed - It will start to bring out the vibrant colors in your goldfish. These foods are rich in carotene, an easily assimilated colour enhancer - found in Carrots and orange juice. Most fish need this food if kept indoors where adequate UV rays are not available to help them formulate colours.

Answer 4

As long as the spots are the scales themselves turning colors and not clusters of what looks like salt grains or anything fuzzy, your fish is probably okay, especially if you maintain its bowl.

We had a gold fish in our kindergarten class that had turned completely white and it was years old, and I'm pretty sure it lived for years afterwards. I've also had some calico goldfish who's spots changed a little and they were fine also.

Answer 5

Goldfish will often turn white for no apparent reason, but usually it has no bad effects on the health of the fish.

Answer 6

Not enough natural light. This happened to my fish, he too was bright orange and now he is completely white.

Answer 7

well, if a goldfish is kept in a dark space for long enough, all of the colour pigments in it's scales start to fade.
it could also be an effect of age.
Or it's not getting enough nutrients.
Consult the vet.

Answer 8

Just like when humans hair turns gray. You are born with a certain amount of color pigment in your hair and when it is gone it turns gray. It is the same with fish and other animals. When their pigment is gone they turn white or gray. My uncle went gray at 23.

Answer 9

old age. we had one for over 25 years he turned white.he still lived for 10 years after turning white

Answer 10

I haven't had this problem with the goldfish i have had in the past. Are you cleaning the aquarium regularly? Ask around more. this doens't soudn too normal.

Answer 11

It's ether maturing or getting sick, go to walmart, or a speacial fish store and buy something for him.. OR! HERE"S A THOUGHT! ask the store person...