Cichlid shyness

[Fish100]

I have two blood parrots and a jack dempsey. I got them all at the same time about a year ago. And ever since I have got them they have been very spooky and will not come out of hiding if u are in the room. I don't know if this is due to having the light off to much. Or not looking at the tank enough. I'm stumped. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[joe jaskot]

Try adding some dither fish, it may help.

 

[ehh]

In my experience jack Dempseys can be pretty shy. They used to be donated back to the lfs I worked at for being "boring" all the time.

 

[duanes]

In nature JDs are surrounded by live bearers (dithering) which they judge for the presence of danger. These live bearers usually hang around the surface, so if they scatter the JD hides.Without this early warning system the JD feels constantly at risk, from everything from birds to reptiles. The photos below were taken in the cenotes of Mexico where JDs are common.

 

[viejafish]

JD are notoriously shy, blood parrot aren't as they have Midas gene. If you have 6 or more BP, they will bring out the shyness of JD. Right now, it appears your JD shyness is contagious to the BP.

 

[Fish100]

Ok thanks for the help