are the red gills on my pike a bad sign?

[djsaltynuts]

Have you tested your water?

No

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

its a red pike species shes starting to come into color a little more but still has freckles. her gill plates have turned red and she breathes a little quicker than im used to fish breathing( but i think this is aggression related as she bickers with an oscar) the tank is turned over over 25 times per hour. a fish having pinkish-red gills is a gigantic red flag for me but i think it might be her changing color can anyone with a red pike confirm that their gills are one of the first places to turn red.

the gill plates have been red for a month or more. admittedly i dont do enough water changes on the tank but even when i am most concerned that ive neglected the water quality and i test the tank itll be below 10.

i understand that this fish needs particularly clean fast flowing warm water.

 

[robmcd]

A picture is worth a hundred paragraphs.......

 

[twentyleagues]

A picture is worth a hundred paragraphs.......

Agree along with full test parameters.

 

[Ferretfish12]

It could be ammonia poisoning, red gills are usually a sign of it.

 

[Rocksor]

You're right about fast flowing water, much greater than 1000gph, and when you're snorkeling to watch them, you have to hold on to rocks/branches to stay in place.

Does it look like this?

https://www.wetspotgallery.com/p290513964/e3daa288a

 

[djsaltynuts]

in case i cant get a good picture of what im talking about it. ill be updating thread after i do todays water test. im not sure how accurate it is either because its definitely expired. i do keep the tank hes in around 82-85 which i normally dont keep my fish that hot because the nitrates get allot more dangerous in the mid to high 80s.

 

[djsaltynuts]

here she is i couldnt get a good picture because she was begging for food aggressively but you get the idea

 

[FJB]

Hard to tell from the pictures.
However, red on the OUTSIDE of the opercular plate should NOT necessarily be indicative of health problems. Red on the edge of the plates, and the interior could be, but also not necessarily. After all, this is a red pike that possibly is gaining in confidence and coloring up.
The gill arches and associated processes of all fish are quite red because they are among the most heavily vascularized parts of the fish. After all, most gas exchange occurs right there (in most fish), and thus, haemoglobin is right below the epidermis..
All that said, there should not be ammonia in the tank, and nitrates should be as absolutely low as possible. If that is not the case, then, you may have an issue to attend to.
Good luck!