Goldfish are fast becoming a common sight in many households. Among the reasons for their popularity are their relatively modest maintenance costs and space requirements. Not forgetting their allergy-friendly nature, which unlike hairy pets like cats and dogs, provide an alternate pet to some people.

That said, rearing goldfish provides its unique challenges. At some point, it’s not uncommon for us to attend to clients airing their concern about the gradual change in the color of their fish. With this in mind, we thought we’d share with our readers, among the common causes for discoloration of their fish.

On a positive note, many of the causes of discoloration are preventable and reversible. Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty.

Direct light

A goldfish’s skin comes with an imbedded natural pigment that reacts to natural sunlight. Consequently, overexposure to direct sunlight leads to discoloration. Similar to what happens with us, where heightened exposure to sunlight leaves us with a darker skin tone.

Supposing you recently repositioned your aquarium, thereby leaving it more exposed to direct sunlight, and happen to notice your fish starting to turn white, you have your answer.

In such a case, consider repositioning your goldfish. However, this is not to mean you starve your fish of light. Instead, place them somewhere they will receive a moderate amount of sunlight, and regain their coloration within several months.

Old Age

Old age is among the most common reasons why goldfish turn white. Fish go through several color changes before settling on one color. The changes take place over an extended period, thus difficult to track.

The best way of predicting whether your goldfish will turn white is by looking at their parents. If the parents turned white with old age, the likelihood of your fish turn white remains high.

Moreover, none of the oldest goldfish in the world retains their golden color.

Sickness

If your goldfish turn white owing to a suspected case of falling sick, there’s genuine cause for concern. More so, owing to the high susceptibility of fish to fall ill with the slightest of changes to their immediate environment.

Fortunately, it easy to tell when your fish are unwell. The most common symptoms to look out for are dullness, inability to swim, and a lack of appetite.

Supposing discoloration accompanies these symptoms, it’s most likely your goldfish are sick. It’s best to consult a fish expert to be advised on the best treatment for your goldfish. You can also assess the water conditions for; pH level, nitrates, ammonia, and temperature. If any of those, as mentioned earlier, isn’t at optimum levels, conduct the necessary remedies immediately.

Low Oxygen Levels

A terrifying but preventable cause. Low oxygen levels lead to your fish turning translucent white. Failure to address this issue promptly leads to severe illness or death. We advise you consider de-populating your aquarium or conducting a water change.

Takeaway

Mastering the art of fish keeping takes a little bit of effort and time. We encourage goldfish enthusiasts to read familiarize with basic best practices to detect p