i know you said cichlids but i would suggest giant gourami, snakeheads or any puffers as some of the best wet pets... cich;id wise obviously midas and oscar as fore mentioned, infact any amphilophus hooga, amarillo ect.. any veija will make great wet pets aswell as being colourful. imo polleni aare very similar too oscar in personality then you have the pike cichlids... ive kept lone convicts in small tanks which are great aswell, especially for a teenager to get into fish keeping,,,
edit, red texas are awesome too!-)