My orange and white fantail is looseing some of its orange color. Could anyone tell me why this is happening? The fish seems to be in good health other than it changing color. It's almost like the color is fading. The spots where the orange was is now white.

Hi Peaches,

I assume this has been happening gradually over the last few weeks rather than overnight? If it has been gradual, then this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Goldfish often change colour as they get older due to their genetic heritage.

My ryukin Gobby was bright orange when I first got her; less than a year later she was pure white except for a few pale apricot patches on her tail.

thats very true, one of mine turned from black and orange to pure orange, i thought it was dirt at first

one thing i reaad somewhere is about having your tank near direct sunlight, it can speed up the pigment change, is your tank in a very light enviroment?

I obtained a small Comet some time ago and over the past few weeks it also started to loose it's colour. It is now almost completely a pale pinky sort of white.
At first I was concerned although it seemed happy and healthy enough, so I inquired from our very helpfull Pet shop owner who asked me if I had changed it's diet. I had in fact changed to another brand of goldfish food.
It turns out that the original whole-sale suppliers feed the goldfish on a diet rich in colouring to make the fish more attractive to prospective buyers. Some goldfish foods apparently do not contain this colouring agent, so the fish gradually change back.
As I have stated in a previous post on this subject, I don't really mind what colour my fish is as long as it's happy and healthy. I also have the choice of feeding it a different diet in the future and changing it's colour! (Like having a different fish every few months).

I think that is normal. The same thing happened to my cousins goldfish. He is still okay. I think when they age they loose color.