i have a chichlid tank but the fish seem so shy i never see them? when i fisrt come in the room they are happy swimming about but then just go off and hide anything i can do or just one of those things?
Make sure they have enough hiding places, be careful not to destroy any territorial places (and if you don't know where the fishs' territories are, just leave the whole tank the way it is ) then back off and give them time There's nothing much else you can do. They have to feel secure enough to come out of hiding - and that's not something you can force on them.
what type of cichlids are we dealing with here skipo. There are solutions that can help but hiding places and feeling secure is best. How long have you had the fish? What size tank, decor etc?
) then back off and give them time 
There's nothing much else you can do. They have to feel secure enough to come out of hiding - and that's not something you can force on them.
