Your goldfish has gone from a very vibrant orange to black it is kept in a tank with artificial light why has it changed colour?

Answer 1

Don't worry, I doubt there is any problem with your goldfish that turned black. It is most likely due to the reduction in light from where he was raised (perhaps in an outdoor pond) to the lesser artificial light. And black goldfish are COOL!

For a lengthier explanation of how/why fish change color (principally getting darker or lighter) see my reply to this question on this website:

Is_there_any_fish_that_will_turn_white_if_left_in_a_dark_room

Answer 2

A goldfish may change for color for a number of reasons. The two most common reasons why a goldfish may change color are one: they are not getting an etiquette amount of sunlight, or two: their skin was irritated somehow. The first reason would cause the fish to be lacking in color or be turning white. This is because the pigmentation cells found in the scales of fish cannot work without sunlight. The second reason would explain a darkening/blackening of a goldfish's color. When a goldfish's skin is scratched or irritated somehow the fish's body will release a chemical called Leukine. Leukine stimulates the cells to grow themselves back, but also stimulates melanophores (the cells responsible for black pigmentation). This is what causes the fish to be abnormally black in color.

Answer 3

The scales on your fish's head were irritated somehow. This irritation causes the fish's body to react by producing a chemical called Leukine, which stimulates cells thus triggering a healing process. The reason why your fish's head turned black was because melanophores (the cells responsible for black pigmentation) are stimulated especially by Leukine, therefore causing your fish to have an abnormally high amount of black pigmentation on it's head. Now after the healing process is over, the melanophores eventually begin to recede and the fish's color goes back to normal- that is what is causing your fish's head to turn back to its original orange color.

Answer 4

generally it means they have a fungi or bacteria problem take it to your local pet shop and they will figure out what it is how to treat it and provide you with chemicals needed

Answer 5

It is simply what happens to Goldfish. Baby goldfish are not coloured as they grow older they develop their adult colouring.

Answer 6

When you got the fish it obviously had not yet completed its colouring up. They sometimes take a while to reach their full colour.

Answer 7

It is just another type of Goldfish. Unless it starts changing shades or colour, then it may have a bad disease, and if you want to keep your fish, you should probably take it to a vet.

Answer 8

they either need a higher quality fish food or they are not getting enough light. In my experience goldfish usually only change color when kept without a light fixture

Answer 9

Because it's a gothfish, not a goldfish...