So about oh maybe 3 or 4 months ago I added a pearlscale to my twenty gallon tank. I've got one fantail and there both about the size of a golfball, a bit less. My pearlscales name is Spork and when I bought Spork she was a beautiful Calico along her fins and her wen. I know that as goldfish grow and age they change colors, also there diet has an affect on the colors. I've been feeding them shrimp pellets and tetafin but her unique colors are still slowly vanishing. Are there any specific foods I can feed them to enrich they're diets? They've both grown into lovely fish with the shrimp pellets, and just a few days ago I added yet another fantail. But he's just the size of a dime.

Also, before I receive negative comments on my tank size and amonia in it. I already know that my tank is much too small. I clean it very often and have a pleco to clean algae. I've been trying to get my hands on a 70 gallon tank for a while now, and its on the tippy top of my wish list for my goldfish. But I haven't had a significant problem with it yet as far as how dirty it gets, because like I said, I clean it very often and my fishies still seem very happy with themselves.

One other thing. I've bought all of my goldfish at PetCo. I've never religiously bought fish from a chain branch...because frankly I've never appreciated the way they treat fish but I haven't had the money to travel to my usual fish shop. Since Spork is from PetCo do you think that has a bit of an affect on her losing her coloring? Or is all of this natural?

My Pleco is at least 6 years old, He is fairly large but because of the tank size we have right now he's been only growing a little in the past few years. He's a happy guy, I feed him algae pellets. The pleco wasn't my concern really. I've never had problems with him. He's very mellow.

Alas my question wasn't answered. I was curious if there were any specific greens or foods I could feed my goldfish to enhance they're colors. Please keep in mind I'm a 16 year old waitress paying for gas, car insurance, and bill to pay. I want to keep my goldfish happy AND beautiful but I dont want to go broke just making them beautiful since they're already very handsome fish.

Like I said I need a bigger tank, I'm working on it, so please no reminders.

No, there isn't much you can do about the color fading unless it's only becoming slightly paler, which could be due to a number of reasons including the tank size. Have you had a look at this article: (Link is not visible to guests. Please register to view.)

Might help with the tank a little

I would give the pleco to Petsmart and you could make some money. Then you can keep the goldfish in the 20 gallon.

Oh 6 years never mind.  I couldn't do that either.

when I was in petsathome last week, a customer had just returned two plecs because they had outgrown his set up, they were each nearly 3-foot in length!!!!!!!!!

Thanks you guys, but the tank is already bought
my grandmother has it sitting in her work shop and she's offered to give it to me numerous times and my mother knows I'm dedicated to my fancies enough to clean the tank we have now at least once a week. Plus I pay for any of the extra necessities I feel my goldfish need.

I'm hoping that with a little bit more pressing on the subject she'll cave.

Also I've also told her many times the...negatives of the small tank.

Nossie I think it was 70 gallons as mentioned before