We got our new Oscar baby last Monday. He's a red albino and has a 55gal tank to himself. The tank is well matured having been on the go with other tropicals for over two years. It has in addition to the internal filter an Eheim external filter.

When he first went into the tank he was shy and hid behind the plastic plants we put in for him. We expected a certain amount of hiding hence the plants. He feeds happily enough but if he catched sight of us near the tank he freezes and as soon as he can makes his way back to his plants. He is not darting about and isn't gasping so he is not displaying panic behaviour. If he thinks he's in the room on his own he appears to explore the tank. He is not our first cichlid - over the years we have had discus and rams at various stages.

That said is it normal for an oscar to be this shy?

Water parameters are all normal - zero nitrite, zero ammonia, low nitrate, PH 7.2, 25 degrees.

welcome to the site


if your new oscar is just shy wehn your around his tank and is eating well i wouldnt worry about to much. in time he will no longer be apprehensive and will stay out all the time. then come the begging for food whenever he sees you.

as for your water parameters all seems fine the only hting i would change is the temp and i would only raise that by about 2 degrees.

hope you enjoy your new wetpet

Are you saying your temp should be 27?
because myself has the tank at 25, should i higher it to 27?

i second with necro, as long as your o is grabbing
enough food, you wouldn't worry that much. in no time
he/she will show up and approached you whenever you are
around.

for glen ....check the thread "general concencus of temperatures" on the tanks,filtration section....you will find good info there ..hope this helps