Goldfish are easy-care pets, but they need a proper habitat to stay healthy and develop to their full colour glory. If a goldfish turns pale, what is the reason?
What gives a goldfish its colour
Goldfish need light to produce the colour pigments in their scales. If a goldfish lives in conditions with insufficient incidence of light, it produces fewer colour pigments and thus loses its orange-red colour splendour.
Everyone who likes to tan in summer knows the influence of sunlight on the colour of human skin. Like goldfish, the colour pigments of the skin react to the sunlight and change. When there is little sunlight, the human skin is also pale.
Fish have cells (cromatophores) for the production of pigments for colouring and light reflection. The colour of the fish depends on the individual pigment colour in the cells, how many pigment molecules there are and where the pigments are located in the cell.
If a goldfish is kept in low light or even in the dark, its colour will fade as pigment production is reduced. In general, fish that live outdoors in sunlight or under ultraviolet light are more colourful than those that are kept indoors under conventional artificial light. In a goldfish that is kept completely in the dark, the chromatophores do not produce any colour pigments and the existing coloured chromatophores die off.
However, a goldfish does not lose its colour completely even in the dark, because part of its colouring comes from its food. Fish food contains natural pigments (carotenoids) as well as added substances (canthaxanthin) that intensify the colouring of the fish.
What can you do to prevent a goldfish from losing its colour?
To prevent the goldfish from losing its colour and to ensure that they stay alive and healthy, you can consider the following points:
Ensure a clean and Well-filtered aquarium. Test the water values regularly for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH values. Carry out partial water changes to keep the water clean and balanced.
Feed your goldfish a balanced and healthy diet. nutritious diet. Provide the fish with high-quality fish pellets or flakes that have been specially developed for goldfish. Avoid overfeeding as this can lead to problems with water quality and health issues.
Offer a variety of food products, including Freeze-dried or frozen treats such as mosquito larvae, brine shrimps or daphnia. This ensures that they receive all the important nutrients they need to maintain their colour.
Goldfish need sufficient space to swim and thrive. Avoid overcrowding the aquariumas this can lead to stress and poor water conditions which can affect colouration.
Ensure an appropriate Lighting the aquariumas this can bring out the colours of the fish. Do not expose the tank to direct sunlight as this can lead to algae growth and temperature fluctuations.
Minimise stress factors in the goldfish's environment. Avoid sudden changes in water temperature or pH and avoid excessive handling of the fish.
Before introducing new fish into the main aquarium, place them in a separate tank under Quarantineto ensure that they are healthy and free from disease. This prevents the spread of potential diseases that could affect the colouring.
Maintain a regular Tank maintenance including cleaning the gravel, removing dirt and cleaning the filter. A clean environment promotes healthy fish and bright colours.
Care for Hiding places, plants and decorations in the aquarium. This helps to create a stimulating and stress-free environment for the goldfish.
Watch your goldfish regularly for signs of illness or unusual behaviour. Early detection and immediate treatment of health problems can help to maintain colour and general well-being.
Is it possible to get the colour of the goldfish brighter?
As described above, the colour intensity of the goldfish depends largely on light exposure. The more sunlight or ultraviolet light the goldfish gets, the more colour pigments the cells produce and the more brilliant its colour becomes. In addition, you can feed fish food that contains substances that promote pigment production.
Goldfish in the aquarium - Why do goldfish lose their colour?
