Hi, i have a pure white oranda goldfish that is changing colour. The head and edges of fins are taking on a yellowish colour. The fish seems to be happy and healthy enough, and I take care in keeping the tank clean on a weekly basis, ph and nitrate levels are fine. I have had the fish for about 8 months now, the fish is approx 3.5 inches long and in a 65 gallon tank, with a black moor, and a ranchu, and several white cloud minnows and 3 guppies. I have heard of other goldfish turning white, but not a white one turning coloured. I haven't changed fish's diet. I feed the fish bloodworms, flakes, shelled cooked peas, and they also graze on the plants i have in the tank. I have one other pure white fish, its a ranchu, and it is still white. I have checked on the internet for what may cause this, but to no avail. Please help with this, any help would be appreciated. thanks :(

I have had the white areas of some goldfish also turn yellow. I think it's a fairly common color change. Sometimes if the fish is eating a lot of caretenoids (like from shrimp, carrots, red fruits and veggies, etc.), they will take on more color which for a white fish means getting some orangey yellow. With the fish I've had with patches like that, they kept that color and didn't change further. I'm afraid I don't have any photos of those fish from a decade ago.

thank you Robyn, I just couldn't figure out what was going on. that sheds some light about what may be happening. Oh, and by the way, I've been reading that these goldfish grow quite large, will my 64 gallon tank be enough for 3 fancy goldfish and the guppies, or will I be able to add more fish to the tank? I would like more colour in the tank, any suggestions what fish would be colourful and peaceful that would suit the goldies?

While single-tailed goldfish can easily grow to 12-15 inches, most of the fancy goldfish stay much smaller, maybe 6-10 inches. I have seen photos of ones grown in ponds in China though that are a foot and a half long! I have my three fantail goldfish and my huge pleco in a 65 gallon tank. I don't plan to add more fish. If you want to add more fish, it's better to add more goldfish. When your goldfish are larger, they may eat smaller fish. The goldfish could pick on other species of fish and vice versa. If I had to pick a small fish to put with goldfish, I would say rosy red minnows which I've had with goldfish in my ponds. They are sold as feeders so they're often sick but once you have a healthy population, they're great fish.

Thanks again Robyn, your a wealth of knowledge ;) How many more goldfish could I add to my tank? I've heard that u need 20 gallons per fish, and my tank is only 64 gallons (250 litres). But then I read somewhere else that u need 20 gallons for the first fish and then 10 gallons per fish thereafter. I'm confused. Different articles on the internet say different things, I am relatively new to this hobby, and it is so far one of the most enjoyable things i've done. I want to do things right the first time. Thankfully I haven't had any wet pet deaths yet. And would it be possible to raise my fish in a tropical environment, I've seen some really pretty tropical fish that I wouldn't mind keeping.

There are many different rules. For aquariums, it's an inch of fish per gallon but 10 gallons per goldfish with 20 gallons being better. Yet, 5 gallons per fish is fine when they're small. For ponds, they sometimes say 20-100 gallons per goldfish. We tend to put in many more than that, or rather, they do, after spawning. For your 64 gallon tank, I suggest keeping fewer than half a dozen goldfish. If they grow up large, then it might be too crowded. I don't suggest keeping other fish with goldfish because of various problems but many people have done it. Goldfish prefer temperatures in the 60's and low 70's degrees F. Once you get closer to 80, they aren't as comfortable. When too hot, they may not eat as much, get sicker more easier, and may lay around like I want to do now at work since it's over 80 degrees F, and I have to wear long pants and lab coat. The AC has never worked here in 10 years. Actually, I AM sick, uncomfortable, exhausted, and not eating well. It's the heat. Goldfish don't like it either.

sorry to hear you're not feeling well, hope it doesn't get any hotter where u are. thankfully its winter here now (australia). I saw your pics of the pleco, what a cute fish that is. they obviously don't mind cooler water, I showed my daughters and now they want one, me too! I have also given some thought about getting another 65 gallon tank, this one will be for tropical fish. I have seen this beautiful fish called a Frontosa Cichlid, and I really like it, a couple of other fish I like are the kissing gourami, black ghost knife fish and clown loaches. Are these fish very difficult to look after? Want to know what I am getting myself in for before I go ahead and buy them. I have checked them out on the net, so I do know how big they can get, but I don't know if they would be suited in a tank all together. Apparently they're all peaceful fish, but any insight would be great.

Oh and by the way, does this site have a photo gallery? I can't seem to find one, I do however come across some pictures whilst i'm cruising through the different topics. It would be great to see pics of peoples tanks and fishies on the one link. Just thought i'd check with you, apologies if i'm becoming a pain. I'm like a little kid in a candy shop :lol: full of intrigue and excitement.

The Frontosa cichlid, black ghost knife, clown loach, and kissing gourami are four fish I've never had myself. All grow large and have special needs. Some cichlids are aggressive; I'm not sure how the Frontosas are with other fish. The ghost knives can be hard to keep alive and are often suggested to be kept in a species-only setup for their special needs. The last two fish should get along. The kissers get big and may fight with eat other (the kissing). You are better off getting details on these species from someone who has had them.

The forum does not have a gallery.

Any ideas about a really cute looking small catfish/pleco that would be ideal for cold water, i want it in with my golfish. Not looking at anything that grows bigger than 15-20cms max. Have surfed the net, but most of them like temps 75 degrees or higher.

With plecos, there's always the risk that they might decide to suck on the goldfish. Most plecos like temperatures in the 70's. The common ones can take it into the 60's but they grow huge. The smaller plecos are more apt to suck on the goldfish because they can physically do so more easily. As far as small plecos go, I like the bristlenose plecos and clown plecos.

thanks, i've seen pics of the bristlenose pleco, it's pretty cute too. Is there anything else u could recommend to clean the bottom of my tank. I already have 2 snails, or would that be enough?

I recommend that you clean the bottom of the tank. As far as extra foods go, the two snails should do a good job of getting those.