Shaykhul Islaam Ahmad ibn Taymeeyah 728AH said:

الذكر للقلب مثل الماء للسمك, فكيف يكون حال السمك اذا فارق الماء

“Remembrance of Allah as it relates to the heart is equivalent to water for fish.

Therefore how is the fish’s conditoon when it is separated from water?”

Source: Al-Waabilus Sayyib- Ibn Qayyim p.85