They are very territorial, and for thier size pretty aggresive (but still doable in a community tank with a few exceptions). The rams and cories will bear the brunt of the aggression in your tank (they HATE other dwarf cichlids, and most of them aren't too fond of cories, although this varies from one individual to another). You could do it if you have a ton of aquascaping. I know that's pretty subjective so I'll quantify it for you. At least half of the tanks floorspace should be covered with a cave, a plant, a piece of driftwood, a ceramic pot....whatever. Put a network of caves at one end of the tank (this will be the center of their territory. that should leave about one third of the tank for your rams and cories).
Good news is that they are by far more interesting and more beautiful IMO than rams. Progression in dwarfs seems to be Rams (cheap and readily available) then people discover apistos and never go back.
A. cacatuoides has the shortest lifespan of any apisto. Females live about a year, males about two. They make up for it by being prolific breeders and very good parents (make you rams look like michael jackson when he held his kid out the window)
