Tilapia Diseased Breathing Symptoms

Are the Gills:

• Bright red throughout? (this is normal)
• Pale; pink to white throughout? (possibly anemic, low red blood cell count?)
• Showing discrete, tiny white spots on the gill filaments? (possible "ich" infection check gills for ectoparasites)
• Showing large, irregular shapped white patches on the gill filaments? (check gills for myxobacterial infection)
• Ragged along the borders of the filaments? (check gills for ectoparasites, also check water for ammonia, chlorine, and dissolved oxygen levels.)
• Bent, thickened or fused at the tips of the filaments? (cartilage or bone deformity problem, contact extension)
• Covered in mucus? (check gills for ectoparasites, also check water for ammonia, chlorine, and dissolved oxygen levels.)
• Showing gas bubbles in the tissue of the gill filaments? (gas bubble disease. see water analysis section on gas supersaturation)
• Muddy red or brownish in color throughout? (possible nitrite toxicity)

Are the fish:

• Gasping at the surface? (possible hypoxia, check gills and water quality; especially dissolved oxygen levels)
• Not eating? (look for other symptoms listed here, use microscopy, and water analysis. Try different feed. May not be serious)
• Breathing very slowly? (serious! look for other symptoms listed here, use microscopy, and water analysis. contact extension)
• Sluggish? (serious! look for other symptoms listed here, use microscopy, and water analysis. contact extension)
• Scraping or "flashing" on the tank bottom? (use microscopy,to check for ectoparasites)
• Breathing rapidly? (possible hypoxia, check gills and water quality; especially dissolved oxygen levels)

Also:

• Skin, fins, and eyes