Fish turned white!

[Mowbray]

Does anybody know why my Goldfish and Fantail have turned white?

Could this be an infection?

Thanks in advance

[Chillum]

Could be some sort of display of solidarity with Michael Jackson.

These fish really do 'cause you you some worry Mowbray...sorry I can't help.

[Clanad]

If the goldfish was once black and has turned orange or was once orange and is turning white it could be that the fish has been kept indoors and without full sunlight.  (which would be the case if you had a tank in the house).  The fish is suffering from pigment loss in the skin.  Red Capped Orandas are famous for losing the red cap. Orange comets are famous for turning white.  The key is as follows:


Water quality is great
Discolored areas are not raised compared to the other skin
Discolored areas are not depressed under the rest of the skin
Fish is acting good, eating normally, and fins are erect and white ( no hemorrhaging)

[Mowbray]

I always keep my fish in a well lit area (but not in direct sunlight).

Is there anything I can feed them which may make the colour return?

There does not seem to be any sign of infection.

[Clanad]

Try placing them in the sunlight... only a short time to begin with and then increase it...

[Noweia]

My goldfish went silver because they were kept in a dark room - I think a wide spectrum of light eg sunlight can enhance colour.

Sometimes fish which change color, for example RedCaps which lose the red cap, or Black and Gold orandas which wash out to yellow, or orange fish which eventually turn white are simply following a weak genotype. (fishdoc.net)