General Care Discussion :: swimming lopsided

[scarlet begonias]

I'm a newbie! So i searched this in the forum and I get that it always comes up with RI.
Is this always a symptom of illness?
My hatchling is 3 weeks old and he does this spontaneously for a couple hours, but then reverts to normal swimming most of the time. Other than that I don't see anything wrong, he eats all his food, is active, etc. It really doesn't seem like he's sick, just an awkward sideways swimmer?

[marisa]

Welcome. I'd watch for other symptoms (if you read up on RI's you must know what they are) and if you see any, boost the temp up (water 82F, basking 90-91F) and find a herp vet to take your turtle to.

[Bascomb]

scarlet begonias -- I think that your turtle may be trying to fight off RI. The higher water temp. to aroung 80 to 82 degrees is a good idea. He needs the other in the proper amounts also; lights, filter etc. Another thing to do is keep the water clean, clean, clean. b.

[scarlet begonias]

Hey thanks guys! I maxed out the heater, got it up to about 79 (it was 76 or 7 before), i will buy a better one first thing tomorrow to boost it all the way up. Other than that I think I've got a decent setup. I've been watching him (Koopa) like a hawk and haven't seen any other symptoms all day, and less tilted swimming. He (or she i guess!) is pretty perky. I'm crossing my fingers but I looked up the nearest herp vet just in case
this forum is great btw