Important aquarium checks
Fish Gasping at the Surface – What to Check
Check oxygen, equipment, temperature, ammonia, nitrite and recent aquarium changes when fish are gasping or breathing quickly.
What to check first
- Increase aeration and surface agitation immediately.
- Confirm the pump and filter are running.
- Test ammonia and nitrite.
- Check temperature.
- If this followed a water change, confirm replacement water was conditioned.
What you can do now
- Increase surface movement and aeration.
- Confirm the filter and pump are operating normally.
- Test ammonia and nitrite before choosing medication.
- Check temperature and recent water changes.
What may be contributing
- Low dissolved oxygen
- Ammonia or nitrite
- High temperature
- Gill irritation
- A recent water-quality change
Questions that help narrow the problem
Are several fish affected?
One fish · Several fish · Most or all fish
Are they staying near the water surface?
Yes · No
Did this begin after anything in particular?
Water change · Adding medication · Filter or pump stopped · Adding fish · Nothing obvious
Do you have ammonia and nitrite results?
Yes · No