One of my favorite species of cichlid. I love having two pairs in one large tank, seeing them defend the fry is fascinating. I also love how the fry will get mixed up with each other, yet both pairs don't mind (like they even know).
Female, and their is definitely nothing "overrated" about them. Super hardy, will fight against any and all comers and put up a good one at that. Great parents as well.
I think they're alright. If I needed a constant supply of feeders, they're cool. But I don't really like having fry all the time. One of the reasons I got away from African cichlids also.
I can see where one would lose intetest in the lfs "convict". However, there are many amitilapia (sp?) and cryptoheros that are colorful and interesting. Rio Cabayo cons and cryptoheros myrnae are two that come to mind.