when fish breath hard?

[Freshwater_J]

well none of my fish are breathing hard or rapidly but what does it mean when fish are breathing really rapid and hard?

[fballguy]

It could mean a great number of things. Lack of O2, excessive ammonia or nitrite, ect.

[wataugachicken]

several things. they could be too hot, there might be a lack of oxygen in the water, or there could be high ammonia or nitrites which are causing gill damage. there are other causes, but those are the most common and easiest to diagnose and solve.

[Cathy G]

Gill flukes and/or ich, too...
Cathy