Keeping natives is not really much different than keeping cichlids of all kinds, the main difference is that you dont need a heater down to about 50F , and getting them is free for the most part. I have enjoyed this part of my hobby more than any other, because it gets me out in nature, to see all the fabulous things that were given to us to enjoy, its healthy, and if run of the mill fish keeping is getting to be a drag, its a whole lot cheaper than saltwater, and the fishes are just as beautiful and interesting as any tropical youll see at whatever LFS you leave most of your hard earned dollars with.
