Help! My goldfish's scales are turning all white!

kyle8921

Well, ok, I don't know if this is a disease, but it has me a little worried. I have two goldfish, one male and one female. They both used to be orange, but the female always had some white scales on her. Recently, she has become more and more white. It's not something white covering her scales.. not like a fungus or something, she doesn't look diseased or act any differently. It's just that her scales are all turning silvery/white.. it looks very shiny now.

Is something wrong?

orb4me

You might want to check some Goldfish sites and see what info you can find. Maybe they are suppose to turn white? no idea, sorry I cant help.

ffffrf

i know it is wierd but it is supposed to happen did u know goldfish can change color i know it must be cool but its true and not a disease he can do that

gregpape23

Try giving them some more light, maybe it's a photosynthesis-type thing. lol

Tommy Gun

Hey all!

It is my understanding....ok, ok, I just read that while it is common for goldfish to change color, sometimes this can be a sign of trouble. For example, if the fish is turning a more bland color, it could be a parasite that is infecting the fish. The example given regarding a turn towards white was that a "silvery" white might be 'normal' to expect in some fish but a turn towards 'albino' white could be a parasite or if the 'albino' color is limited to small patches, perhaps a fungus. As far as I know, fish aren't exactly photosynthetic and based upon that understanding, why wouldn't adding more light result in more colorful fish?

P.S. If you haven't already Greg, please check your PMs as I sent you a reply a few days ago.

kyle8921

I don't think it's a fungus or anything like that. The scales are turning white; there's nothing over the scales that is white.

The tank has a really bright light... and it does get a decent amount of indirect sunlight.

Eh, maybe it's just changed colors and I don't need to worry about anything.

yank30265

In my small tank 30 gallon I have 1 orange fantail, 1 calico, and 1 real pretty feeder I couldnt bear to feed. I also have a dragon fish 1 green sevrum (just growing him to put in my 55) and one algae eater. Not a pleco I moved it into my 55. The algae eater seems to be on the aggresive side. My orange fantail is also turning white. i thought the algae eater was chewing on it. is this common. if it is the algae eater is going to become a feeder for my 55