Will the one Oscar I have in the tank ever quit being so shy and hiding a lot, even from me sometimes. Or is that his personality? He is six inches now and I didn't know if they get less shy the bigger they get? My wife and kid like to watch him, but like I said most of the time he hides. When I am around he usually comes up to see me. Just asking you guys who have been dealing with oscars longer that I have.
Brad

i only have the expierience from my tiger, whom i got at 7 inch and i guess a lil' over half a year old.
He was a bit shy, but feeding time and the other oscar's behaviour tempted him into coming out at feeding time.
but there was no real hiding or shyness...

I spent a lot of time just sitting in front of the tank whenever i get new fish into the tank, talking to my fish and letting them get used to my presence.
That works for me and my fish definatly seem to trust me.
What tankmates does he have and has he been bullied before?

He had a smaller oscar that was shyer than him, which ended up passing away do to being a poor specamin. He is the only one in the tank besides a chinease alage eater. The pet sore I bought him from had him in with other oscars and firemouths. I have had him since March.

how does he react at feeding time?
Does he come to the surface then?

I cannot imagine an Oscar being shy or hiding away, that is just not my experience with Oscars, however I have never had just onx Oscar. My Oscars have always been right in your face and if you approach the tank, they will come and see what's happening, certainly not some away and hide. It may be the fact that your particular Oscar is on its own. Having said this, I certainly wouldn't advise you get another Oscar if your tank is not big enough.

I think it does depend on how much activity they are used to. I wouldn't say there is a huge amount of activity in the room that my fish are in, however I do often have people in here so they are used to seeing people walking around.

Sorry, I don't think we are going to be able to give you a conclusive answer.

He is usually up by the surface swimming back and forth excited to eat.

that's more like normal oscar behaviour.
All i can think of is adding some dither fish, like silver dollars.
If he sees those swimming freely he might come out of hiding.
Maybe some other members have had expierience with shy fish, for all my fish are more into showing off than acting shy.

Are you overfeeding him. Hunger is what usually gets a oscar used to his surroundings. How much and often do you feed him. You should be feeding him what he will eat in 2 or 3mins once a day. Try to feed at roughly the same time everyday. If I were you I would feed him half that for a week or so. Hopefully he will get used to you. Hunger will drive him to come to the front/top of the tank expecting food. My fish and cats are due food now. If I go to any of my tanks the fish all come to the top expecting food. One of my cats is at my side now meeoowwing. In fact I had better go feed all my animals

Parrotman32 wrote:


It's not uncommon for Oscars to be shy for prolonged periods after you bring them home. My Oscars were pretty shy for a good 3 or 4 months, actually....much longer than I anticipated and, like you, thought something was wrong and/or that I simply had 'shy Oscar's. I would be very, very surprised if he remained so for good.

Personality wise, sure there are less 'aggressive,' more 'wary' oscar's, but after a significant period he should gradually acclimate....even if it takes much longer than you thought.

Hi Parrotman,

You have been given all good advice mate. Drop us a bit of info on ur tank, size,filtration and ur wtaer tests ( ammonia Nitrites Nitrates and Ph )etc etc.

Just to be on the safe side....

I have a 75 gallon tank with two emperor 280 power filters with biowheels. I also have a airstone for extra oxygen. I have soft water. The water parameters are ammonia 0 nitrite 0, ph 7.6 and nitrate 10ppm. I do weekly 25% water changes with gravel vac. Just to throw this in, remember guys that this is the oscar recovering from HITH. The only other tank mate is a chinease alage eater. I feed once a day with a small treat in the evening. The main diet is omega one protein formula pellets, he usually eats about four to 5 pellets in the morning. At night he gets a small piece of krill, the next evening blood worms, the next frozen krill. He also lost his buddy that had ben in the tank from the start. His buddy has been gone for a week maybe two. I hope this helps guys I am trying to think of everything I am doing, so you can correct me if I am doing something wrong.

ya my oscar is most cofterble around me probly cause i feed him lol he just shows off sometimes around my friends lol he eats the most around my friends haha but if you get close to the tank he hides like a pussy (excluding me)