My axolotls gills are changing from pink to yellow

[JadeAnnette]

So I had my axolotls for a while without a thermometer and when I got one I realised they had been living in about 20 degrees water, they seemed happy but because of what I've read we put a fan on the tank. The last few days here have been really cold from 30something degree days so I've turned the fan off as the tank dropped to maybe 13degrees, it's back to 15 degrees now but I'm conserned the temperature change might be upsetting my axies, today I have noticed for the second time that Yellas gills have turned yellow from a nice pink and they both look really fat! :/ I'm worried about them someone please help! :'(

I'm also now VERRY confused because Yellas gills look pink in the photo?!?! But to me they look pale yellow????

 

[Skudo09]

For some reason I can't seem to enlarge the photo. Have you noticed the change in colour occurs when Yella is more active or less active? There is increased blood supply when they are active so if they have recently been moving around, their gills will often gain more colour (golden albinos tend to have more red colour when active and yellow gills when they have been inactive).

However, it is always good to check parameters and ensure that there is not a toxic level of ammonia or nitrite that may be irritating them and affecting their gills.

 

[JadeAnnette]

I've done a big water change and I have them in the container, they're back to pink but I think you could be right, he is moving around more in the container because he is eating, but it's also not as cold, the tap water is about 19degrees and the tank was about 16, could he be less active because it's cold? Should I get a heater that can sit at about 17degrees to make sure they don't get too cold?

 

[Skudo09]

Don't use a heater. 16°C is absolutely fine for them. Make sure you change the water in their tub daily using water the same temperature as the tub they are in.