Frank Cook, age 13, of Veneta, Oregon, for his question:

Why are my goldfish turning white?
Young goldfish tend to be very much lighter or very much darker than their parents. If they live in suitable surroundings, their natural bright colors develop later in life. Sometimes adult goldfish may turn pale without anything being wrong, but it is a good idea to check their surroundings. The fish bowl should be near a window where the occupants get hours of filtered sunlight every day. Their water should be around 65 degrees. The top should be wide to allow air to mingle with the water to provide oxygen. Living plants in the aquarium also supply oxygen but if this is not enough, bubbles of air can be pumped into the water.
A healthy goldfish needs a gallon of water for every inch of his body. Most aquarium fish become sick either from overcrowding or overfeeding. Your pets need one meal a day and above all they need a varied diet. Buy several different pack¬ages of fish food for them. Every few days, feed them a meal of chopped egg or liver. And most important change the water in the tank every week and be sure to rinse it spanking clean.