For a beginner probably the Kribensis or rams are a good starter cichlid depending on the size of your tank but these two are fairly compatable with most community fish.
I've got a pair of Apisto's and they have settled in my community tank really well -
the female has even spawned a couple of times, then eaten everything 24 hrs later when she
gets fed up with guarding them !
i have aggazizis and borelis, my borelis(male) IMO looks like a mini blue acara, i love him very tough too. Cockatoos have alot of colour if thats what your after, aggazizis are a little more sensative so i wouldn't start with those, they are also very small.
Borelis are more commonly known as dwarf umbrella cichlids agazzizis may be known as blue headed? Google should bring them up, thats how i researched them bvefore purchaseing them, Borelis reach about 3-3.5inches and agazzizis aboout 2.5-3inches.