Why do my cichlids not follow me?

[Partridge27]

Hi, one of my friends also have cichlids and when he moves his finger up and down the tank his cichlids follow him but when I try it they either swim away or they just stay there and don't follow, any suggestions?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Keep feeding them. When I feed mine I stick my hand with a pinch of food in the tank. Now they aren't afraid at all some I can even hold in my hand.

 

[chew valley]

Hi, one of my friends also have cichlids and when he moves his finger up and down the tank his cichlids follow him but when I try it they either swim away or they just stay there and don't follow, any suggestions?

What Cichlids do you have to start with?