Bashful Baby Baloon Blue

Hello All!

I picked up my first cichlid a week ago, and -incase you didn't guess - it is a Baloon Blue!
He presently resides in my 20 gallon quarentine, and in 3 short weeks will be relocating to the 55g.
Now the closest thing to decor in the 20 gallon is the heater. The substrate looks uncannily like a bowl of coco pebbles, so generally I must get at eye level with him to be able to see him. He is being housed with 2 serpaes and 2 blackskirts. The Serpaes seem to be most interested in him, swimming up to him occasionally, while the blackskirts keep to themselves. His reaction is to swim a short fast burst after which he is left alone - none of this is to say he's getting picked on, just timid.
Is this normal behaviour? can I expect a change one I move him to a well planted, decorated tank?

Thanks in advance for the help,
Jess

 

I think that habbit will disappear once in the 55g.

 

Rams are a naturally jittery fish at first, it may take him a few days or even weeks to finally get used to your tank and actively swim around.

This is pretty normal behavior if you ask me.

 

He needs hiding places to feel comfortable. Without hiding places he's going to feel vulnerable and stressed. When he is moved to the 55, it may take some time for him to get used to everything. Just give him time and I think you'll see an improvement once he's in a tank with hiding places.

 

You most definitely need some hiding places, even in a QT tank. With no hiding places, it can make the fish stressed out. Generally rams are skittish fish, but with provided hiding places, this behavior should change

 

Half an unglazed terracotta flowerpot makes for an excellent cave just saying

 

I second the “needs hiding places”. Rams can be quite timid and shy especially if they feel threatened. If you provide him with a safe heaven cave to run to it will lower his stress level and let him settle in much quicker.

 

Thanks again all! Even in the empty QT he has become more comfortable this past week... I like the idea of a flowerpot in there!