Dizz gave great info to follow. As for the plants........good luck.....lol, most plants are in fact very safe and beneficial in the tank however it's really hard to keep cichlids from destroying them. If your just getting started with the tank then I would put the plants in before the fish. That way when you put the fish in the tank the will come accustomed to the plants already being in the tank. You will have a better chance that way!

As far as sexing them, you have to vent them. This can be done after they reach about 3 in. You can find various articles about "venting" african cichlids. Usually if you look at thier belly you will either see two holes that are the same size ( o o =male) or two holes that are different in size ( o O = female) hopefully that will help! Good luck!

IS it really worth it too buy fish at Petsmart/Petco Not for adive just out of convence and Cheap Live stock. Mine has alot expericeaned workers tho

;)It was a joke, but Im one too all I want Is cash for my birthday. ;)