I have read that when they turn white they are bleaching- too much light?-and in other places that they are stressed. I didn't know this and bought some that I thought were beautiful because they WERE WHITE..... The guy at the store told me that he'd had them for months & they never died or got any worse. I have had them for @ a month and they open & close when I feed them and seem perfectly fine. I think there may be a new one coming up now but I'm not certain. I'm anxious to see what color it will be if it does grow another one (or more hopefully).