Do convicts make good "wet pets"?

[ROLLIN]

Might have my 23 gallon (30"x12"x15") free soon and was thinking of getting a convict. In general, do they make good wet pets like oscars when they are kept by themselves, or do they not pay much attention to humans? From what Ive seen in pet stores, they dont seem to pay attention to humans. However I do not know anyone who keeps convicts, so Ive never seen how they act when they have "settled in" to a home aquarium.

 

[madkunt69]

convicts

hi

i have a breeding pair of convicts in a 2ft tank. They dont pay any attention to humans from what ive seen. no matter how hard you try and make the tank look good they usually have ruined it in an hour. they just dig holes all day and lay eggs. i got a few batches of hatchlings that are interesting to watch.but they dont pay any attention to me either.they're very easy to breed though.grow very fast

 

[TKOS]

The only interaction I see from my friends Convicts is when the are protecting their eggs and babies. Then the male is all over the front of the tank when we walk by.

 

[SnakeIce]

most cichlids would be more interested in people if they didn't have a mate distracting them.

all of the single angels I and my dad have had have been great pets, but the pair he has now are definately lacking in interest in human interaction.

 

[ROLLIN]

Thanks guys. So it seems like they dont pay much attention to humans. Hmm, might give it a go anyway.

 

[qtaquaman]

Weatherloachs can be pretty friendly, apparently tame enough to be handled.

 

[ROLLIN]

I used to have weather loaches, they were very friendly. I had to get rid of them though, my plan to move them to my "big" tank didnt work out.

 

[RyJ]

The only other cichlid that I've noticed having 'pet-like' aspects is the Jack Dempsy. My neighbour had one by itself in a 20 gallon. It was fairly socialble...but Oscars are definitely more interactive. If you want something pet-like...why not just pick one of the more interesting Oscar colour morphs? You would only be able to have one in a 23 gallon tank...and there will be those who complain and say that 23 gallons is too small...but not everyone can have an ocean-sized tank in their house to make their guppy happy.

My neighbour's Jack Dempsy was totally fine and very healthy in its 20 gallon. You need to do increased maintainence though.

 

[ROLLIN]

I have a jack dempsey, she lives on her own in a 66 gallon tank. Doesnt pay much attention to me though. When I finally get my 77 setup it will be a wet pet tank, Im going to get a red devil or midas for it.

 

[ROLLIN]

. If you want something pet-like...why not just pick one of the more interesting Oscar colour morphs? My neighbour's Jack Dempsy was totally fine and very healthy in its 20 gallon. You need to do increased maintainence though.

An oscar needs alot more than a 23 gallon tank, IMO a standard 75 is minimum for one. Just curious, how big did your neighbours jack dempsey grow to in that tank?