They usually don't get along with other fish that look like them, in other words fish the same shape and dark background with blue spangling such as Jack Dempseys, Oscars or Texas. The above cichlid types would be considered competitors and would probably be attacked.
I have found these Madagascans to ignore dissimilar shaped or colored cichlids, fish and were kind to plants.
They will eat anything they can swallow, you will note they have a large mouth, although they are only opportunistic predators, so small tankmates are seen as snacks.
Anything under a 75 gal tank would seem to me to be too small, as they can go from an inch or 2, to 6 or 8 inches in a very short time.
I have kept many over the years in tanks of 150 gal, and males would seek out and attack any other males in the tank, and relentlessly harass unreceptive females.
when they spawn, they hang grape like clusters of eggs in plants and roots.
