I had a red caped oranda in a tank with to black moors about five or six monthes ago. Both black moors died and the oranda was left alone. Several weeks after the deaths of the moors the oranda suddenly lost all colours....over a period of maybe three or four days.
The oranda has since died (unfortunately due to mysterious circumstances) but I was wondering if anyone could offer an explanation as to why the oranda lost all of its colouration. I don't know what the tank stats were at that time but I can say that my fish received a vaired diet of both floating and sinking pelletts and flake food. It had a very vibrant and bright almost red head that went completely white.
I am attempting to re-establish my tank after the deaths of my other three fish and would like to know in case this problem re-occurs. I have not yet bought any fish or plants for the tank.

Sorry I should mention the oranda died approximately three weeks ago? He lived for about four or five months with no colour.

Sorry to hear that you lost all your fish.It's really hard to pinpoint the color change in the one fish,especially without knowing all the facts from back at that time.Goldfish can lose color when they're sick,but goldfish also tend to go through a lot of color changes during their lifetime too,depending on where they came from ,genetics and such.Sorry there's no simple answers for that. I actually have A Red Cap that for two and a half years was a beautiful white with the deep red wen.For the past 8 months,he is slowly turning orange. I'm not thrilled because I wanted a Red Cap,but I love him so we'll just love him like that.
I'll wish you luck on any new goldfish that you decide on ,and if you need any help,let us know.

OG, Sharon's right, there's so many things that can determine colour change

Other then normal colourchange, there are some things to look out for in their environment when colour fades quickly and they are:

- ammonia/chemicals in water
- parasites which causes an increased production of mucous
- a lack of beneficial minerals in the water can also be a culprit so regular waterchanges help
- diet ie. food lacking in caretonoids which are stored in the pigment cells

And lol Sharon, I didn't know your redcap was turning orange... it sounds like Chubbs who started out the same colours as a redcap - he's almost all orange also

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the well wishes. I am hopinh to get some new fish for my tank in the next few days, hopefully they will stay bright a beautiful but I won't be sad if they turn white to!

Its a good idea to read up on cyclying your tank before getting new fish. There are many good resources on this page. Try the Frequently asked questions and Water Chemistry sections. In the long run, it will make for healthier, more beautiful fish.
Oh and welcome to Koko's!

I will get as much information as I can possibly find before I get anymore fish. I have had them before for quite a while but I have never really looked into taking good care of them. Not to say that I don't (I do regular water changes and clean the tank, I feed them regualrily and if they look sick I try to help them to get better) I just have never taken the time to properly inform myself.
Thanks for the help. I still have not chosen the new fishies but I hope to soon!