Color Changes Tropical Fish
Color changes as fish approach or reach maturity are normal phenomena and are seen in many species ranging from guppies to goldfish. Occasionally adult fish will show additional color changes varying from small areas to the entire body without any other symptoms. Local areas of increased color do not necessarily indicate disease and are not adequately explained. Total body color changes can be seen in mature goldfish occasionally. Some of the author’s blue scaled goldfish have sometimes turned pure white over the course of a year or so. Other goldfish often show gradual spreading oflighter colored areas into the usual gold color.
Young goldfish normally show black fringes on their fins and tail which gradually disappear as the fish grows. The black fringes sometimes recur in mature fish and can remain for several weeks. If the fins are not actually rotting or fungused the change is probably temporary and will spontaneously revert to normal. If the change is a result of infection or injury on the fins or tail then treatment should be directed towards the cause.
Albino fish may occasionally turn up in spawnings from any species of fish and represent spontaneous mutations. They usually will breed true. Many species of fish are now available in albino varieties. Albanism occurs similarly in humans, both as an inherited characteristic and as a spontaneous mutation.
Humans also occasionally develop a condition called vitiligo which is a local depigmentation of the skin. The cause is not known and there are no other ill effects. The color change in humans is permanent.
