Gills are how fish extract dissolved oxygen from water and release carbon dioxide and ammonia. Their large surface area makes them efficient at gas exchange, but also makes them highly sensitive to water quality problems, ammonia and nitrite damage gill tissue directly, which is why fish gasping at the surface is often a gill-related symptom, whether the root cause is low oxygen, ammonia, or an infection.
Lokorio
Certified Aquaculture Expert & Founder, Memeilo Ponds
Moses Lokorio is a certified aquaculture expert with over 6 years of hands-on experience helping fish-pond builders create healthy, balanced pond ecosystems. At Memeilo.com, he writes detailed, data-driven guides to simplify pond construction, maintenance, and fish care for DIYers and professionals alike.