In my experience, managuense (especially a pair) are going to be consumate interior decorators that uproot any plant, dig holes, and rearrange any furniture not too heavy to move, to their own liking, unless the tank is 500 gallons or more.
A large emergent plant like papyrus is a possibility, as long as its well rooted in a pot.
Papyrus above
Floating plants are about the only normal aquatic type that will probably work, and if tasty enough will be eaten or torn to shreds..
If you want a planted cichlid tank, then many smaller and medium size shoaling cichlids can work.
I happen to prefer planted tanks, and find certain cichlids work well, but the tank must be large enough, and usually heavily planted long before the cichlids are added, a few plants usually don't cut it, the tanks to be heavily planted from the start, the plants need numbers that far out weigh the fish so the root systems have chance to lock in.
Below a planted tank for Cribroheros rostratum
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Below my current venture, a 180 gal with a dozen Andinoacara coeruleopunctatus for cichlids , with Vallisneria, and Hydrilla for the plants. I added plants about 6 to 8 weeks before the cichlids were added to give the plants time to get a foothold. The largest cichlid tops out at about 6".
