My African Cichlids Are Scared To Death Of Me!

[Kormylo]

About a week ago we got four beautiful new malawis (about 2 - 2 1/2" each) and they seem to be doing quite well, feeding voraciously in their 55 gallon home. (no other fish present) For whatever reason, they are terrified of me. They seem as happy as can be when my wife is in the room, but when I enter, they all cower behind the rocks we have in the tank. I've done nothing to make them fear me....its just weird. Will they eventually come to no longer consider me a threat? Its no fun having this big pretty tank and fish that hide when you walk into the room! haha! Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[brewyn]

Its common for cichlids to hide from certain people, maybe your heavy footed, tall, or they just dont like your aftershave LOL. they will come around when they settle down.

 

[adambrum]

my fish hide from the girlfriend , i think there copying me

 

[Mbuna Dave]

I used to have that problem with my fish but then i was told it was understocked.
I added a few more fish to the tank and they have all become brave again.

Safety, and bravery in numbers.

 

[liv4evrordietryin!]

maybe some dither fish would help. it's possible you just move fast, or, i dunno, something that startles them and when they see that the dither fish aren't afraid of you, they won't be either!

 

[Nick Sw]

Mine have started to do it when I walk in and one in particular the Hongi since I started with the water changes, I`m sure they will settle and maybe like Dave says more fish !

 

[Neal]

Brewyns fish do it all the time, don't blame them though with an ugly mug like that looking in on you, I sure know i'd hide!

Neal

 

[dthoffsett]

Depending on what you have in the tank and your future stocking plans, I'd highly suggest adding a few pseudotropheus acei, they tend to stay out in the open all the time and work as dither fish to bring the other fish out. It worked for me when my labs hid all the time.