Because the OP is trying to decide between cicla or centrarchid. I would Probably go with the pumkinseeds, 4 would be okay in a 55 if you had enough decor to break up sight lines, and give the least dominant one time to hide. I was thinking of recomending 2, but then the dominant one would do nothing but beat up on the subdominant one. Your gonna need good filtration, and lots of water changes. On the other side, the cichlids would be a better idea. In my experience, the centrarchids are much nastier in temperament than most cichlids. The best we can do here is give you advice. So, which one do you like best?
You should also look into bluespotted sunfish, they stay much smaller and make better aquarium fish than most other centrarchids.
Please do not mix natives with most tropicals. Your just asking for problems.
