72 Gallon Peacock Cichlid Show Tank Q's????

[APAC]

just re-established my 72 gallon tank on Sat. after I sold my previous fish stock, w/ 70lbs. of crushed coral and puka shell, 40lbs. venetian stepping stones, a background swap, and some added aeration. I have finally decided after researching various cichlid species that I would like to keep 4 or 5, 3-4" Peacock cichlids in this tank with no intentions of breeding but only for show. I have been told an all male show tank is best but how can you differentiate the males and female peacocks when they are roughly in the 3-4" range? also, are these hardy fish or very weak?
I have been thinking about this:
1Rubin Red
1Strawberry or Fire
1Sunshine
and not sure what else, suggestions are very welcome!
here's some pictures of my progress...

I

 

[APAC]

it's still a bit cloudy here and I have the rocks (sledgehammered stepping stones) stabilized w/ eggcrate so its a sturdy setup. just need to pick up some really colorful peacocks

 

[APAC]

so finally the new inhabitants:
1 Electric Blue Hap
1 Sunshine Peacock
1 Rubin Red Peacock
1 Oblique Hap
1 Syndontis Euruptus

 

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[hollyfish2000]

Your Oblique hap is a Victorian (not a peacock) and may be more aggressive than your peacocks. Keep an eye on him.

You really will need to do more than 4 or 5 peacocks in a 72 gallon tank in order for them to feel safe. I found the magic number in my 60 gallon was 12. Any less and I didn't see them as much. Be sure to add additional ones in groups so they don't get too beat up i.e. in threes or fours. (You can do Malawi haps in with your peacocks with no trouble. If you can find a Taiwan Reef, grab him. They are gorgeous!)

Your eupterus will get quite large eventually (and ugly IMHO). I much prefer a group of synodontis multipunctatus or petricola/lucippinis. (Just thought I'd throw that in.)

BTW, you should have no trouble tellings boys from girls at 3 or 4". The boys should definitely have at least a hint of color by then . . .

 

[APAC]

that is correct Oblique Haps are not peacocks and I purchased this specimen because I was told it was raised in a peacock tank without any problems. All of these fish I got for cheap (poor college kid) and I would have bought the multipunctatus but I didn't have the cash So far all of these guys swim everywhere like crazy, except for the Rubin Red, he's the only one that usually hides out in the caves

 

[APAC]

would these fish live comfortably for life if left how they are right now? or like you said should I purchase more fish(when I get more xmas $) and just get rid of them when they get too big and overstock my tank?