thats kind of the thing to..idk what kind of african cichlid would be nice color, semi good personality and overall a good cichlid even if its african..
Shell dwellers really won't have the color, they are mostly silver fish.
Similis or multifasciatis would be cool, alot of personality, but you may not like the silver with darker stripes.
Lamprologus ocellatus has kind of a gold form and "blue" form.
Shelldwellers are definitely the way to go. Yes they lack the bright colors of most Malawians - but they have such spunk and personality that you will really enjoy watching them.