Cichlids are smart (for fish). I once had 2 oscars and they fallowed people from the front of the tank, too. They would actually jump to take food out of your hand and learned quickly that a light tap on the tank meant food was arriving.haha, thats so cute!
My son's cichlids "beg" for food, every time I walk into the room, they dart to the front of the tank and swim frantically in front of me.