Maybe theyre scared?

I don`t actualy know the Bio answer to that, but it is known that many creatures that are born, live and die in total darkness are often without pigmentation, even down to tiny insects. perhaps color serves no purpose evolutionary speaking?

and such a fast change with a goldfish, maybe it shares Chamelionic properties?

cool question

well, it can't be, because it is permanent! I told u, maybe it is firghtened or something

that`s scarcely a plausible answer, albeit humorous

and knowing how short it`s attention span is, it would soon "forget" any fear were that to be the case.

maybe white is used as it`ll reflect what little light there MAY be?

in the absence of light, i wouldn't expect it to want to reflect the light back. It would want to be able to see more won't it? I think it must have something to do with the pigmentation. The pigment maybe decompsees or seomthing with the absence of light. This means that it does not reform after the light is switched back on.

 

What will the fish be called then? A white fish?

I think enough of my silly jokes!

I know in Humans a chemical called Melanin is used to create pigmentation (skin color), I`m not sure if fish have or even require such a facility though?

we`de need to w8 for some of the Bio lads/lasses to have a go at it

well, melanin is increased in the presence of light, but isn't it only UVA rays? Cause the skin want ot avoid damage?

yeah, it is the bodys way of protecting itself against harmfull UV rays, that`s why in Africa or equatorial regions have the most black people living there and the further north or south you so from the equator the less the color change, Scandanavian types white skin blonde hair is more a polar reason, untill you get to the extremes in a pole then the skin color gets darker as the UV rays are reflected back from snow and having many days of all light (wind also has an effect on tanning too).

I think fish reactions maybe based on something entirely different though

aommaster said in post # :

Maybe theyre scared?

 

They don't turn white. The do become more pale over time with a reduction in UVA and UVB. That affects the strength of the pigment in the scales.

oh! two questions:

1.What does UVA and UVB stand for

2.If they are exposed to light again, do they regain color?

1) Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B

 

Handy link :- http://www.acronymfinder.com

 

2) Well, yes. Well, the colour will become more distict as it only fades and doesn't become white. But it's not like a suntan, and will take a long time.

 

3) Ninjas

atinymonkey said in post # :

3) Ninjas

 

Huh?

I`ll ditto that, HUH?

Ninjas can solve anything. I put them there just in case there was a follow up question, which I'm confident Ninjas could solve.

 

You gotta give Ninjas respect. Even if your talking 'bout goldfish.

looks like we have a ninja fan!

atinymonkey said in post # :

3) Ninjas

 

completely wrong....

 

1) Goldfish are FISH, and ALL Ninjas are MAMMALS.

2) Ninjas are not appropriate to a scientific experiment because they can flip out at any time. I once saw a ninja flip out and kill a whole room full of scientists, just because one of them was cleaning a petri dish.

LOL!!!

Good one!

 

I always though goldfish were birds!

Ninjas are the ultimate paradox. On the one hand they don't give a crap, but on the other hand, ninjas are very careful and precise.

 

When ninjas discovered flipping out, god gave them dominion over everything sweet. They also enjoy wailing on the guitar.

 

Ninjas don't turn white if left in the dark, but they will probably flip out and kill an entire country.

Credit where credit is due.

oh wow! We have gone from talking about goldfish to talking about ninjas!

Hmmm... indeed!

yet another thread trashed!, and so, back ON TOPIC, why do ... as in the orginal post?

atinymonkey said in post # :

They don't turn white. The do become more pale over time with a reduction in UVA and UVB. That affects the strength of the pigment in the scales.

 

I thought we were finished with the fish?

well....... yeah!

But it doesn't mean we go on and talk about ninjas!

That should be on another thread!

lol

Did they think the goldfish was the same as ninjas.

Ninjas turn white when you throw sand in their face.