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Possible Causes of Breathing Problems
If the fish is breathing rapidly and it is not do to stress or fright,
then it is possible that not enough oxygen is reaching the
bloodstream. Some of the possible causes are as follows.
1. possible ammonia or nitrite in the water, test them, if high, do
a water change with "good water", check filters to make sure all pickup tubes are open, not pinched and that impellers are working.
2. Is the temperature high? Oxygen levels are lower in higher
temperatures.
3. Is the fish scraping against objects?(flashing) This may
indicate a parasite on the gills, possibly flukes
4. Are they only using one gill? This often indicates gill flukes.
5. Have you added medication recently? Formalin and formalin
based products (rid ich, quick cure etc) depletes oxygen in the
water. Add aeration/turbulence.
6. PH Shock. Has the ph changed dramatically (maybe after a
water change)?Is the ph stable? (does it change when tested
at the tap compared to 24 hours later in a bucket?) IF the ph
has changed dramatically, move the fish to better water or do a
water change with good water.
7.Did you just do a water change? Is the fish hanging below
the water surface or near the filter? Is the fish lying on the
bottom of the tank? If so, there is possible a toxin in the water
(or ph shock).
A. Use a dechlorinator/chloramine detoxifier (like prime)
B. Do a water change with good water (stable ph, ph same as
what the fish is used to, and no chlorine, no ammonia, no
nitrite)
C. Move the fish to good water. (another aquarium, or into a
bucket of good water from another aquarium or "good water"
from the water source)
8. Is the fish darting about the tank? If you just added
medication, this may indicate a medication intolerance. Move
the fish to new water or do a water change. (50% or more if
necessary)
9. Bacterial or fungal gill disease. Are the gill filaments hanging
out from behind the gill plates? Do they have white strands or
cottony growth on them?
10. Added by Dissident:
Are discus hanging near the bottom very slow breathing, and lathargic?
-Possible CO2 Toxic Shock
+Turn of CO2 injection system and airate water to remove excess CO2, this will cause PH to jump back up. Up swing is easier for the fish than the Ph swing down. Monitor Ph and Kh to determine CO2 levels.
hth
Ardan
If the fish is breathing rapidly and it is not do to stress or fright,
then it is possible that not enough oxygen is reaching the
bloodstream. Some of the possible causes are as follows.
1. possible ammonia or nitrite in the water, test them, if high, do
a water change with "good water", check filters to make sure all pickup tubes are open, not pinched and that impellers are working.
2. Is the temperature high? Oxygen levels are lower in higher
temperatures.
3. Is the fish scraping against objects?(flashing) This may
indicate a parasite on the gills, possibly flukes
4. Are they only using one gill? This often indicates gill flukes.
5. Have you added medication recently? Formalin and formalin
based products (rid ich, quick cure etc) depletes oxygen in the
water. Add aeration/turbulence.
6. PH Shock. Has the ph changed dramatically (maybe after a
water change)?Is the ph stable? (does it change when tested
at the tap compared to 24 hours later in a bucket?) IF the ph
has changed dramatically, move the fish to better water or do a
water change with good water.
7.Did you just do a water change? Is the fish hanging below
the water surface or near the filter? Is the fish lying on the
bottom of the tank? If so, there is possible a toxin in the water
(or ph shock).
A. Use a dechlorinator/chloramine detoxifier (like prime)
B. Do a water change with good water (stable ph, ph same as
what the fish is used to, and no chlorine, no ammonia, no
nitrite)
C. Move the fish to good water. (another aquarium, or into a
bucket of good water from another aquarium or "good water"
from the water source)
8. Is the fish darting about the tank? If you just added
medication, this may indicate a medication intolerance. Move
the fish to new water or do a water change. (50% or more if
necessary)
9. Bacterial or fungal gill disease. Are the gill filaments hanging
out from behind the gill plates? Do they have white strands or
cottony growth on them?
10. Added by Dissident:
Are discus hanging near the bottom very slow breathing, and lathargic?
-Possible CO2 Toxic Shock
+Turn of CO2 injection system and airate water to remove excess CO2, this will cause PH to jump back up. Up swing is easier for the fish than the Ph swing down. Monitor Ph and Kh to determine CO2 levels.
hth
Ardan
That man (at least I'm assuming Ardan is male lol) has given answers to alot of my questions that I had and didn't get the chance to ask! All just by answering someones question in a way and with info above and beyond what was asked. That in itself is is priceless IMHO... so Ardan I just wish to publicly say THANK YOU for the soooo extensive amount of help and information and help that you give so willingly and often. And Marie I want to thank you as well for that post and bringing this subject up...for it is something that I feel should be addressed and not only for Ardan but for all the Mods and staff of Simply for without them and all the other members us newbies would wind up hiding in the corner or lying flat on the bottom...Thank you again both of you and to all the Mods and members who make this forum what it is and that being a place of friendship,fellowshipa and a place to help each of us feed and make our addiction one of joy and happiness. All of this long rambling post truly comes from the heart and is just how I feel about you all. Thank you again for everything. For IMHO you are all 
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