Royal Gramma swimming very strange

[ReeferMadniss]

I’m a fairly experienced reef keeper, but I just recently picked up a Royal Gramma for the first time at World Wide Corals.

The fish is visibly healthy/eating anytime food is presented and was swimming/acting perfectly fine when we picked it out. It was in the bag/acclimating for no more than 90 minutes from bagging to home.

As soon as it was let out of the bag, it does nothing but swimming sideways and vertically. It eats like a pig and is very vibrant otherwise....I understand they swim upside down at night and cram themselves into rock work....but is this other swimming behavior normal for them?

 

[Copingwithpods]

Yes completely normal, they even turn their heads to look at stuff. Mines swims on all axis and always has his head on a swivel looking for any potential food.

 

[ReeferMadniss]

Yes completely normal, they even turn their heads to look at stuff. Mines swims on all axis and always has his head on a swivel looking for any potential food.

thank you...i was panicked that it ruptured a swim bladder on the ride home! Its a beautiful fish...it’ll be nice to see him peruse around the tank more once he gets a chance to relax.

 

[Homebrewer]

Yup, that’s what they do! One of my all-time favorites. I love the color and behavior

 

[sixline]

Confirmed normal. My Royal Gramma actually swims upside down at times.