How to keep an aquarium running with African Cichlids in it

Question
     Hello David, I am about to get an aquarium with African Cichlids in it.  My dad has 4 of them in his 50 gallon tank and he's had 2 of the same fish in there since 9 years ago.  1 is a leparchanas and the other is an eel.  Anyhow, I was wondering if you could tell me what the best kind of food is that I should feed them and about what gallon tank I shoud buy.  Also what is the best kind of accents (accesories)?
          
            from,
            Derek

Answer
Hi Derek: do you mean a leporinus? because a leprechaun is a small chap from Ireland?  minimum tank size for cichlids is 55 gallons and it really depends on what kind you are going to get... a mated pair of green terrors will take up an 80 gallon tank and kill anything that is in it... on the other hand... six small dwarf African cichlids may live in peace in a 55 gallon for  years...

My cichlids enjoy terra cotta flower pots, conch shells, driftwood, rocks, anything that they can make a cave out of.  They like plants too but they sometimes eat them.... hope this helps... let me know what kind of cichlids you are interested in... dave