Shy red devil

[Nathan1989]

I kept my Amphilophus Citrinellus pair in a 6ft 220G with 5 Melanotsemis Trifasciata and 8 Neetroplus Nematopus. Everything was fine until the Citrinellus spawned and then all of the Nematopus were a threat and chased / attacked relentlessly and no allowed to leave the rock work, to the point I had to remove them. The rainbowfish are not seen as a threat and left alone unless they get too close to the cloud of fry.
If you were adiment on adding something to help your red devil feel more comfortable instead of waiting I’d try a fast swimming, top dwelling fish such as tetras, Danio aequipinnatus, or Myles as stated above.
I have had good experience with non cichlid dithers bringing out shy fish. But personally I don’t think it is required and with more time your red devil should come around.

Thanks so much for the advice I've sat with it a lot tonight and he is now swimming Infront of me if I sit still. Getting it to feed is tricky it prefers sinking catfish pellets or anything moving mid tank level than anything from the top. I wonder if that is down to him still not being confident and taking pellets from the surface?

 

[Nathan1989]

I kept my Amphilophus Citrinellus pair in a 6ft 220G with 5 Melanotsemis Trifasciata and 8 Neetroplus Nematopus. Everything was fine until the Citrinellus spawned and then all of the Nematopus were a threat and chased / attacked relentlessly and no allowed to leave the rock work, to the point I had to remove them. The rainbowfish are not seen as a threat and left alone unless they get too close to the cloud of fry.
If you were adiment on adding something to help your red devil feel more comfortable instead of waiting I’d try a fast swimming, top dwelling fish such as tetras, Danio aequipinnatus, or Myles as stated above.
I have had good experience with non cichlid dithers bringing out shy fish. But personally I don’t think it is required and with more time your red devil should come around.

Thanks its been out a bit more tonight. I have sat with it more and if I don't move too mi h he comes out and swims around. Feeding is tricky it prefers the si king catfish pellets for the pictus rather than floating pellets I wonder if that's down to confidence and being a bit unsure of itself and wanting to stay near its safe area.

 

[dan518]

What size tank is it in, makes a big difference if your adding anything else. I have a male amphilophus labiatus in a 215 gal with 7 convicts. Lots of rocks, branches.

 

[dan518]

Thanks so much for the advice I've sat with it a lot tonight and he is now swimming Infront of me if I sit still. Getting it to feed is tricky it prefers sinking catfish pellets or anything moving mid tank level than anything from the top. I wonder if that is down to him still not being confident and taking pellets from the surface?

There bottom feeders in nature. My old citrinellus only eat sinking pellets even though he was a big glass banger

 

[Nathan1989]

What size tank is it in, makes a big difference if your adding anything else. I have a male amphilophus labiatus in a 215 gal with 7 convicts. Lots of rocks, branches.

It's in a 75 gallon as he or she is only 3 to 4 inch

 

[dan518]

It's in a 75 gallon as he or she is only 3 to 4 inch

Keep it solo in that size tank