Why aren't my goldfish gold?

[Rach2008]

I have had two goldfish for a year and two months - from a fair and a pet shop. They were gold when I kept them in a kid's goldfish bowl. Since I upgraded them to a 30litre Bio Orb (with filter, light, pump etc) they aren't gold anymore - they are kind of white with red bits! I also changed their food from flakes to Hikari. Can anyone tell me why they aren't gold - is it just the flakes that makes them gold? Thanks.

[Jillius]

I don't know but they might be glad not to be gold, especially if they lived in an outdoor pond ! My mum had 20-30 goldfish in her garden pond and a heron has swooped down and gobbled up every single one except a black one !

[wildwood]

Are you sure your fish weren't a bronzy colour instead of gold?

All goldfish start of life as a dull coloured fish and turn a bronzy shade, then most (but not all) colour up at a later date, this time can vary a lot form a couple of weeks to a couple of years.
Not all goldfish are gold. There are white, blue, black and multi coloured ones. It sounds like you have a couple of those white ones with gold patches. The better environment you now keep them in has probably caused them to respond by turning into their desired colour. I rather like the patched ones.

[Rach2008]

Thanks for you replies - I just worried they might be ill, but it seems my worries are unfounded.