I have had malawi cichlids for 6 or so years now. Great fish but a 35 gallon maybe small IMHO. Typically each fish will needs its own area so a lot of rocks or decorations are required. The other option is to overpopulate but the fish will typically always be fighting.
Here is a website that give a ton of info as well as some sample ways to stock your aquarium.
http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/crindx.htm#contents
Here is my set up. please ignor that fact that its in desperate need of a cleaning
Aquarium is 12x12x48 a has lava rock from top to bottom.
