A quick check online will reveal that many people have observed seemingly strange behavior among catfish regarding how they swim. Don’t panic when you see your catfish swimming in a funny way; in many cases; the fish is just doing what it thinks can put it at an advantage to find and reach food quicker.
However, it should be noted that fish have a swimming bladder that can become infected. If you notice your catfish is swimming in an absurd way and there are changes in its feeding pattern, it is best if you have a veterinary doctor run some tests to ensure the fish is all right.
How Does a Catfish Swim?
Catfish swim with the aid of their fins. The catfish anatomy shows the presence of four different sets of fins. They are the pectoral fin, anal fin, dorsal fin, and the pelvic fin. Each fin is important in helping the catfish swim and steers its body in a preferred direction. The fins also help catfish maintain a proper balance in the water.
In catfish, the pectoral fin is positioned at the top, it is used for gliding through the water, and the anal fins help the fish maintain balance in the water, while the dorsal fins are used for navigation and positioning of its body. Catfish also have tail fins which help it navigate through water. Each fin is used for movement in the water.
Catfish swimming vertically
Catfish are bottom feeders; they scavenge in the river depths in search of food. This is why you can find most catfish swimming in a vertical upside down position in the water. This position makes it easier for catfish to forage in seaweed, and search for food because catfish also use their eyes to detect prey and hunt.
In farms where catfish are raised in ponds, you will also observe they swim in a vertical position, with their heads held up high in the water. This is a position that gives the fish an advantage to catch food before other fish in the pond. However, in shallow ponds, you can find catfish swimming on the surface of the water mostly during feeding hour.
Catfish have also been spotted floating on their backs, in the water. This is also an action done to find food; if the fish perceives the need to assume a particular position to get food easily, it will do just that.
Baiting vertical swimming catfish
It is a good thing for anglers. The vertical position catfish assume in the water makes it easier to spot bait set by anglers. This attracts the catfish, and they get caught. Anglers will observe more bites when they fish in a river where catfish tend to swim in a vertical position.
Here’s a way to know if your fish is having trouble with buoyancy in the water. If you notice the catfish is having trouble maintaining a steady upright or upside down position or twirling in circles rapidly, it may have issues with the swimming bladder and should be checked.
