Why are my goldfish turning silvery white?

Question

I bought these two goldfish back in August of 06 from Walmart. I did not have the slightest faith that they would live past two weeks.Suprise I still have them today! Any way, in November I noticed that one fish started to have a silvery apperance on it's belly.it soon spread to the whole fish and now it is completely silvery white! it is albino white. my other fish is orange in color...however I am starting to notice that now it's scales are changing silver also..help? I am a novice when it comes to fish.

Answer 1

Ok they are growing and changing color. They are ok. Most likely this is what has happened to your fish. They were kept outdoors in a pond before they were shipped to wal-mart. You bought them and brought them indoors into a tank with artificial lighting. They lost their color due to poor lighting. I know it sucks I bought a beautiful matt red and white ryukin that with in 2 years turned a all yellow white. But some of my fish attained better color in the same tank. So its part genetics part light part food. There is nothing you can do to get the color back. IF you goldies are little there is a chance that they will change color again as they grow. I have noticed when the color is changing the fish are also growing! Some colors are just downright unstable, especially combinations of black and red, black and white, red and white, chocolate, and even calico colors will change with age. The larger the fish the more likely it will retain its color. Very expensive fish with good breeding will hold color while less valuable ones will change. So don't medicate them they are fine. Always check behavior. Healthy GF have fins up and out, are always on the move doing this and that, greet you when you come to the tank, eat like crazy. Stressed fish will have clamped fins, look sad, do little or hide, bottem sit, hang around the out put of the filter or airstone, pick on other fish, flash or roll, bump into things, scratch, fin flick a lot, yawn often, breathe rapidly. IF you see your fish act unhealthy for more than a day something is wrong and first rule stop feeding and start changing water should apply. Use salt bath before the use of any meds no matter what the people at petco tell you, medicated food is superior to meds put into the water. In my opinion never never never put any meds into the tank water, you are creating a disaster! Keep the water consistantly perfect, the temp the same and choose the best foods to feed them. Flakes suck and go rancid quickly. Look for a food with ingredients that sound like a good seafood buffet, with no corn fillers. (30% protein min and 10% fat) and replace the food once a month. I like HBH Super Soft foods, they are "tropical" fish food but my goldies thrive on it! Omega One is pretty good. Tetra food sucks, actually 95% of the food on the shelf is no good, so you have to look hard. Get you a good goldfish guide book and keep it with your bible! They are not the easy beginner fish everyone assumes they are.

Answer 2

If it were a disease of some sort, it would be a flat white, fungusy, cottony looking affliction on top of the skin. A disease wouldn't appear "silvery." A silvery color would indicate that it is the scales themselves. If this is the case, it is just the goldfish changing colors. Goldfish are constantly being cross-bred and having their genes mutated to produce new shapes and colors of fish; thus, their coloring is very unstable and highly subject to change. Don't worry about it. As long as the fish are happy, healthy, eating and don't exhibit any other signs of disease such as those described above or clamped fins or rubbing its body on things, you'll be fine!

Answer 3

It's completely normal for a goldfish to change colors throughout its life, but especially in the first two years. They're fine!! My black koi turned almost entirely silver, and he's nearly 4 years old!

Please do NOT treat your goldfish's water unless you can confirm it needs it. If you think it has ick or bacterial something or other (which it likely doesn't if it only changed colors), take it to a vet or at least an aquarium store to verify it before you treat the water. You can kill the fish if you treat them unnecessarily.

Answer 4

well you have to look at 5 things what has he been eatin if he eats some foods they might dull his color 2nd is he akting different 3 is if he is real big big fish get discolored and 4 and 5 are in eachother this is 1 for you to answer does it matter to you if hes akin ok then hes ok

Answer 5

well some fish change quick to their environment. I have fish in school with my shop and fish tend to change color with their background. But some do change quicker than others.. don't worry your fish is fine.

Answer 6

It sounds like it could be Ick...which is a sicness fish get. it will turn the scales white or silver like you say. usually it kills them fairly quickly, you can buy Ick Away at Walmart, which are drops to put in your tank that will help them get better if they are not too far along.

Answer 7

Google it.

I think its like a fungi growth that you can buy drops to put in the water at the pet store. It should clear up after a couple of treatments.

Answer 8

Nothing to worry about, color change like that is perfectly normal.