Question: Gills Changed Colour

[Livette]

I have a black axolotl who recently had a strange colour change - his skin has stayed black, but the feathery bits on his gills have turned cherry red. Oddly enough, they turned the same shade as my own hair! i've heard that owners buy pets that look like them, but a pet changing colour to look like its owner is a new one on me.

any ideas what's going on here? they've been red for 2 days now. they look quite pretty, and he doesn't seem distressed at all - eating well, tank temp is fine, etc.

Thanks

 

[Kaysie]

The gills will change color depending on what's going on. If they're excited, active, feeding, or warm, the gills will be brighter than normal due to increased oxygen demand.

 

[Livette]

To the point where black gills go red? for a couple of days? like i said he doesn't seem distressed at all, but just wanted to make sure i wasn't missing something important.

Thanks for the quick reply!