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Color Fades
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A sick fish will change its color. It can either get very dark, or in the case of the dark-colored black moor goldfish, wash out and seem much lighter than normal.
Age and Stress
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Moving to a new tank, or overcrowding can stress a black moor, causing it to fade. Age may also change its color. Black moors turn various shades of bronze, gray, black and even orange. These fish are carp, a cold-water species. A black moor will turn orange if the water temperature in the tank is too hot.
Aggressive Tank Mates
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Sharing the tank with particularly aggressive fish can also affect a black moor's coloring. It is unable to compete with fast and aggressive fish and may suffer fading due to the stress of the situation.
White Spot
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A black moor with white spot will have white specks over its body; these make the fish appear to be changing colors. This is not the case. In fact, white spot is a parasitic illness that should be treated with either Ickaway or Promethyasul. These medicines are available at pet stores.
Missing Scales
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A black moor fish that loses scales will appear to be changing colors. Usually this is not a cause for alarm, as sometimes a fish will rub a scale or two off on a rock or other hard surface. If many scales begin to drop off, further research needs to be done to find a reason and possible treatment.
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Why Is My Black Moor Fish Turning Colors?
Though rather hardy, black moor goldfish do not have the voice to tell you when they are sick; they use more subtle ways of communicating.