Jamarini would be an expert on the paracyps, as he's kept them longer than anyone else I know of in MCA. I think he recommended a larger group to me and probably something like a 40 long minimum (or even a 55) because of their weird 3-d/vertical breeding behaviors and need for rocks or vertical structures away from the other tankmates.
Pair of rams, apistos, or a bunch of smaller shellies like multifasciatus should work.
On the rams - go for german blue/gold/electric blue (but probably start with the german blue, because they're easiest to sex and hardiest of those three variants). Skip Bolivian rams in a 24" tank as they get to be quite big in the long term and though not terribly aggressive, they do get feisty with each other. Think sumo wrestling vs. MMA.
Careful on the apistos in a 24" tank. Make sure there are lots of caves for the male to hide and he will probably take a beating, so you may need to have a divider handy. Many apisto females are quite aggressive especially post spawn. My apistos (agassizi) also kept eating their eggs so after the 4th time I got tired of it and sold them off. It could be you'd have success raising the eggs separately.
I believe Calvus with shellies = no fry, calvus will eat fry.
Afra need a 30" tank minimum IMO, with a 36" or 48" being better - I had a trio in a 20 long for a few weeks and the male and larger female killed off the smaller female. Could be a trio was too small a group or that the tank was just too small.
Meleagris are definitely harder to find. Someone from MCA picked up a group a while back but I'm not sure who.
Ocellatus (gold, purple, or blue) are quite nice...20 long would be better if you wanted to try a trio, otherwise 20 high is fine for a pair. If jcunningham0295, Dan K did (but I think may have sold off all extras), and Oyers in Brighton area usually have some gold/blue/purple, but not always available fry.
I'm not sure on the lanistocola - Jcunningham0295 has these, I think.
