As a goldfish keeper, you might be surprised to see your orange, yellow or white goldfish developing black spots on their body. So, why is your goldfish turning black? Is it normal? Let us find out.
Ammonia burns are the root cause behind your goldfish turning black. However, genetics, black spot disease, and lack of light exposure can also make your goldfish turn black. Consider maintaining adequate water parameters, avoid overfeeding, and provide light in the tank to prevent such issues.
In the below article, we will discuss all the reasons and preventions behind your goldfish turning black.
Contents
My goldfish is turning black.
The primary reason behind your goldfish turning black is ammonia burns. However, there can be many other reasons, like genetics and black spot disease, behind your goldfish turning black.
Your goldfish turning black indicates inadequate tank conditions that require immediate action.
Excessive ammonia in the tank can affect the gills of your goldfish, making them sick and prone to several diseases and parasites, eventually leading to the passing away of your fish.
Therefore, you should take immediate action if you discover a black spot in your fish for their well-being.
Also read: Can Goldfish Lose Their Color?
Is it normal for your goldfish to turn black?
It is not normal for your goldfish to turn black. Your goldfish turning black indicates inadequate tank conditions like a spike in the ammonia levels or black spot disease in your goldfish.
Your goldfish turning black due to genetics is not an issue, but if the reasons are ammonia spike or black spot disease, you should take immediate action for the well-being of your fish.
Excessive ammonia in the tank can affect the gills of your goldfish, making them sick and prone to various diseases and parasites.
Ignoring such a situation can make your goldfish suffer from severe health issues, eventually leading to the passing away of your fish.
What are the reasons behind your goldfish turning black?
Here are the reasons behind your goldfish turning black
- Ammonia Spike in the tank
- Black spot disease
- Genetics
- Light Exposure
- Stress
Ammonia spike
Ammonia spike is the primary reason behind your goldfish turning black. Excessive ammonia in the tank can lead to ammonia poisoning in your goldfish.
Ammonia poisoning can burn the gills of your fish, making them turn black.
Ammonia poisoning can also make your goldfish sick and prone to several parasites and diseases.
The reasons behind ammonia poisoning in your goldfish are as follows:
- Inadequate pH in the tank can lead to ammonia poisoning in your fish.
- Usually, ammonia develops in a new tank but can develop in an established tank if poor water quality.
- Leftovers in the tank can lead to ammonia poisoning in your goldfish.
- Chemically treated tap water can lead to ammonia poisoning in your goldfish.
- An overcrowded tank can lead to ammonia poisoning in your goldfish.
However, you can treat ammonia poisoning by performing a 50% water change and restricting food until the tank’s ammonia level gets balanced.
Also read: Ammonia Poisoning In Goldfish.
Black spot disease
Black spot disease can also be a significant reason behind your goldfish turning black.
Black spot disease is a parasitic infection that leads to black spots on your goldfish.
Black spot disease is not common, unlike ammonia poisoning, which is a common issue in your goldfish tank.
Your goldfish can suffer from black spot disease if you place them in a tank with snails.
In the wild, goldfish catch black spot disease from bird droppings or reaching water where it infects the snail and then moves on to infect the fish.
We would advise you to consult your marine vet if your goldfish suffers from black spot disease for their well-being.
Genetics
Genetics also plays a significant role in your goldfish turning black. Some goldfish species like the black moor are genetically predisposed to color changes.
Over time, the goldfish color gets more vibrant, appearing blacker than they were in their juvenile stage.
In addition, mixed-bred goldfish also usually go through some color changes in their life. These are the cheaper goldfish that you often see in the market.
You can discover color changes in these fishes when they reach adulthood from their juvenile stage. However, it can take 1-2 years as it is a slow process.
Therefore your goldfish turning black due to genetics is entirely normal and does not point to any significant health issues in your fish.
But, if your goldfish is not a variety with black in their color variation, then developing black spots point out significant health issues like ammonia poisoning in your fish.
Light Exposure
If you place your goldfish in the dark, then lack of light exposure in the tank can make your goldfish turn black.
The cells in their scales will start developing darker colors due to the darker environment.
Your goldfish can also lose its pigment and turn black due to the lack of light exposure.
Also read: Can Goldfish See In The Dark?
Stress
Stress can also make your goldfish turn black. Stress caused due to aggressive tankmates, inadequate water conditions, and poor water quality can make your fish turn black.
Other factors that can make your goldfish stressed are as follows:
- Overstocking your goldfish tank can lead to stress in your fish.
- A lack of hiding spots in the tank can stress your goldfish.
- Providing low-grade food in the tank can lead to stress in your fish.
- An improper feeding schedule can lead to stress in your goldfish.
Also read: What To Do If My Goldfish Is Stressed?
Can your goldfish get back to its natural color?
If your goldfish gets black due to genetics, it will not be able to return to its natural color, and it is entirely normal as it will not affect the lifespan of your goldfish.
However, if your goldfish develops black spots due to ammonia poisoning, it can be cured with proper treatment. But, ignoring the situation can lead to fatal issues in your fish.
You should perform a 50% water change and avoid feeding your goldfish for several days to treat ammonia poisoning in your goldfish.
In addition, goldfish suffering from ammonia burns should be isolated in a separate tank and should be treated with antibiotics and antibacterial medication.
If your goldfish is turning black due to the lack of light exposure, then providing light in the tank can help treat such an issue making your goldfish get back its natural color.
After providing adequate treatment, it will take some time for your goldfish to return to its natural color.
How can you prevent such issues in your goldfish?
Here are the ways to avoid such problems in your goldfish.
- Keep your tank clean
- Maintain adequate water parameters
- Provide light in the tank
- Isolate your new fish before adding them to your tank.
- Avoid overfeeding your fish.
Keep your tank clean.
It would be best to keep your tank clean by performing 30% weekly water changes, as contaminated water can lead to ammonia spikes in the tank.
You should add a water filter to your goldfish tank as it helps to break down the ammonia produced by your fish, eliminate harmful chemicals, and maintain the tank’s water quality.
Also read: Can Goldfish Live In Dirty Water?
Maintain adequate water parameters.
You should maintain adequate water parameters in your goldfish tank to prevent such issues in your fish.
Low pH levels in the tank can lead to ammonia spikes in your goldfish tank, eventually burning the skin of your skin and making them turn black.
| Particulars | Goldfish |
|---|---|
| Water Temperature | 68-74°F |
| Ph Level | 7.5 |
| Ammonia Levels | 0-0.25ppm |
| Nitrate Levels | Below 40ppm |
| Nitrite Levels | 0ppm |
We suggest you keep eyeing the tank’s ammonia level for the well-being of your goldfish.
We advise you to use the API test kit as it provides accurate results.
You can purchase it from Amazon API TEST KIT
Also read: What Is The Ideal Water Temperature For Goldfish?
Provide light in the tank
You should provide light in your goldfish tank to prevent such issues as lack of light exposure can make your goldfish lose its natural colors and suffer from excessive stress, eventually leading to the passing away of your fish.
In addition, your goldfish should get a balance of light and dark periods in their tank for their proper growth and development.
Isolate new fish
Before adding them directly to your home aquarium, you should isolate new fish for a couple of weeks.
The new fish you bought may have been exposed to ammonia poisoning in their last tank.
In such a case, adding them directly to your goldfish tank can increase the chances of ammonia buildup in the tank.
Avoid overfeeding your goldfish.
You should avoid overfeeding your goldfish to prevent such issues. Goldfish do not have a stomach and digest their food with their intestines.
So, if you overfeed your goldfish, it will produce a lot of waste and leftovers in the tank, eventually leading to ammonia buildup.
So, providing the quantity your goldfish can consume in under two minutes will be advisable to avoid overfeeding.
Also read: What Happens When You Overfeed Goldfish?
Conclusion:
- The ammonia spike in the tank is the primary reason your goldfish turns black. However, many other reasons like genetics, black spot disease, and lack of light exposure, can make your goldfish turn black.
- It is not normal for your goldfish to turn black, as such an issue indicates inadequate tank conditions.
- If your goldfish gets black due to genetics, then your fish will not be able to return to its natural color, which is entirely normal.
- Your goldfish developing black spot disease due to ammonia poisoning and black spot disease can return to their natural color with proper treatment.
- You can prevent such issues by keeping your tank clean, maintaining adequate water parameters, providing light, and isolating the new fish before adding them directly to your tank.Â
Reference: ResearchGate ScienceDirect