General Care Discussion :: Crawling/Swimming backwards?

[maddpnoi]

One of my juvie RES keeps swimming backwards. It's a little hard to describe. He kinda glides backwards on the bottom, and if he bumps into a rock, he shifts direction and keeps going.

At first I didn't think it was voluntary --- I thought maybe the current was just carrying him, but he was in my other tank today where there was virtually no current, and I realized he was doing it purposely. He paddles backwards with his feet.

None of the other RES that lives with him are doing it. And he's not showing any symptoms of illness; he eats well, basks a lot, poops, sleeps, etc.

And I know he's not looking for food on the bottom (he looks straight ahead kinda aimlessly.)

I figured this could just be a personality thing, but I thought I may as well ask to be safe.

[Daniel3507]

cujo used to do that when he was little. i think its normal. if there arent any signs of illness i wouldnt worry

[RESnTX]

My 7 inch male still does that on occasion. I just think he's being silly. I wouldn't worry about it like Daniel said.

[bigG]

My 7 inch female occasionally swims backward when I first place her in the tank after bringing her from her daily walk.