Jack Dempsey is shy of people

[Steven Williams]

I've got a 6 inch Jack Dempsey cichlids along with my silver Arowana and whenever any person is around it will not come out which is troublesome feeding time because all the food is gone because it hides while the aro eats it all
It comes out when nobody is around and it's been like that for 2 weeks now should I just wait it out?
It's still brightly colored and dark and the Arowana hasn't attempted to eat it or anything it just won't come out during feeding cause I'm around and misses all the food by the time it comes out. Should I get sinking pellets?

 

[robham777]

Two things come to mind looking at your picture. One the arowana is substantially larger than the jd and the Jack is probably wise to avoid food at the surface while the aro is feeding, and also jack dempseys like some sort of cover to feel comfortable. The tank looks pretty bare.

 

[pops]

no offence but a dempsey has no place in a tank with an arowana. Also dempsey can be quite shy, they are not a real out going fish. esp males.

 

[Steven Williams]

no offence but a dempsey has no place in a tank with an arowana. Also dempsey can be quite shy, they are not a real out going fish. esp males.

This is the second jd I've had with an Arowana but I respect ur opinion I kinda just want it to come out and eat more I know they are shy fish

 

[Steven Williams]

Two things come to mind looking at your picture. One the arowana is substantially larger than the jd and the Jack is probably wise to avoid food at the surface while the aro is feeding, and also jack dempseys like some sort of cover to feel comfortable. The tank looks pretty bare.

There is a cave it hides in on the other side along with some wood

 

[MrsE88]

I'm not sure if it's the camera angle or not, but it looks like the jack could fit in the aros mouth.

I'd add more bottom cover and yes, more time. Some fish need more then just a couple weeks to settle in.

How big is the aro?

 

[Steven Williams]

I'm not sure if it's the camera angle or not, but it looks like the jack could fit in the aros mouth.

I'd add more bottom cover and yes, more time. Some fish need more then just a couple weeks to settle in.

How big is the aro?

The aro is like 18 inches I think and I'll add a few more dens I just didn't want too much in the bottom for the aro to smash into. The previous owner of the jd said it only ate flakes which is troubling so I'm mixing the flakes with pellets when I toss in the food but it's not interested, maybe sinking food will help with food reaching the bottom but the jd comes out often I can see it come out when I'm upstairs watching and it like freaking swims in the aros face like it's not afraid of fish only people.

 

[Steven Williams]

The aro is like 18 inches I think and I'll add a few more dens I just didn't want too much in the bottom for the aro to smash into. The previous owner of the jd said it only ate flakes which is troubling so I'm mixing the flakes with pellets when I toss in the food but it's not interested, maybe sinking food will help with food reaching the bottom but the jd comes out often I can see it come out when I'm upstairs watching and it like freaking swims in the aros face like it's not afraid of fish only people.

The right side has all the decor I left the left side barren so the aros **** can be siphoned easily and for some room for the aro

 

[duanes]

In nature JDs never venture far from cover, or large dark shaded areas, they are always near lots of caves.
And the way they gauge the threat of danger, is by watching shoals of small to medium dither fish (in many cases live bearers that hover near the surface) for their reaction to whats going on around them.
From your photos, neither of what your tank is about, so what you post about its behavior its not at all surprising, you have a bright, barren tank with few secure areas, pretty much the opposite of how JDs comfortably live.
Some shots from nature.


and a video of JD habitat
Eden2

 

[Steven Williams]

In nature JDs never venture far from cover, or large dark shaded areas, they are always near lots of caves.
And the way they gauge the threat of danger, is by watching shoals of small to medium dither fish (in many cases live bearers that hover near the surface) for their reaction to whats going on around them.
From your photos, neither of what your tank is about, so what you post about its behavior its not at all surprising, you have a bright, barren tank with few secure areas, pretty much the opposite of how JDs comfortably live.
Some shots from nature.


and a video of JD habitat
Eden2

Alright thanks for the information