Definitely don't want to do a planted tank for Africans. A Sandy bottom with lots of rocks/caves is better.
There are tons of options for Africans and a 65.
First you need to decide what lake.
Tanginyikan - tropheus, calvus
Malawi - Mbuna, Peacocks, Haps
Victoria - Haps, Pundamilia,
Within each lake there are tons of different categories.
A list of SOME ranked by smallest to largest. A small African, you could do 15-20 in a 60. This also depends if you want to do an all male tank, or a mixed/breeding tank. Or some Africans are best kept in a species tank, like Itungi lethrinops, or Psuedotropheus Demasoni. For a larger fish, like Nimbochromis, you could only fit 3-4 in a 60 Anyway there are:
Shell Dwellers,
Mbuna (Rock Dwellers)
Peacocks (Aulonocara)
Haps (Haplochromis, Nimbochromis
Protomelus)
You can mix different types, but some don't mix as well as others.
For a great look at Victorian Fish google Pundamilia Nyererie. That's only one type, but shows the different colors from Victoria.
Tanginyikan tanks have a huge variety of fish that can be kept together. Look at Tropheus species.
The most common is the Malawi setup.
Aulonocara are arguably the most colorful and stunning Africans.
