Fundlopanchax gardneri are a good beginner fish and easy to keep and they live for well over 2 years. I have some eggs avialable. if your intersted or need any more info please feel free to PM me. Cheers
You could keep all 5 together no problem. They would be ok in a one and a half foot tank although ive kept them in smaller. They could go with small peaceful fish as long as they had hiding spaces but they would be better in a species tank.