South America is home to 250 to 300 species, and Central America hosts maybe 150 more species, all the way north to the Rio Grande River, home of the Texas Cichlid. Except for those in Lake Tanganyika, the African cichlids tend to be brilliantly colored, but alas relatively stupid, mouthbrooders. Wayne made it clear that certain methods of cichlid keeping might be more successful than others. Not too big to trap uneaten food and not as unmanageable as sand. Cichlids at some point, more frequently with some than others, require shelter - hiding places where an aggressive fish cannot follow.
Some cichlids require, even demand, aquatic plants as an integral part of the environment.
A really good plant choice is Java fern, a true submerged fern which thrives under a variety of water conditions and is hard to kill - and generally not very tasty to most fish. Java moss, water sprite, duckweed and salvinia rounded out his best bets. Wood makes an important natural addition to the New World cichlid aquarium. It provides shelter, and for some loricariid catfish is a dietary requirement. Shelter allows you to manage fish agression.