Why are gold fishies gold?

Goldfish are gold because of a genetic mutation that affects the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to most animals.

Here's how it works:

* Normal goldfish: Have a gene that produces a certain amount of melanin, resulting in their typical orange-red color.

* Goldfish with the mutation: Have a gene that prevents the production of melanin in their scales. This lack of melanin allows the scales to reflect light, making them appear golden.

This mutation is a dominant trait, meaning that even if a goldfish only inherits one copy of the mutated gene, it will still have golden scales.

It's important to note that:

* Not all goldfish are gold: There are many varieties of goldfish with different colors, including black, white, red, orange, and even calico patterns.

* "Gold" is a relative term: The actual color of a goldfish can range from pale yellow to bright orange.

So, the "gold" in goldfish is a result of a specific genetic change that affects their pigment production!