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There are many misunderstandings when it comes to keeping cichlids. With this article I aim to clear a few up, and hopefully encourage more people to try their hand at cichlid rearing!
Myth: Cichlids are aggressive
The truth is that some cichlids are aggressive. Some are territorial, and will not be aggressive if they have enough cover, shells, or rockwork to call their own. Others become agressive while selecting a mate, breeding, or protecting their eggs/fry. Others are very mild, and well suited for a community tank. There is no blanket rule, you're best to research the individual species of cichlid before buying it. Myth: You cannot keep New World cichlids with African Cichlids
Again, this depends on the species of cichlid, and their individual needs for water chemistry and temperature, as well as temperment. If you are able to find similar fish from the separate continents, they will no only live together, but may even breed. Myth: Piranhas are cichlids
OK, so maybe this isn't exactly a common misconception, but I have heard it. I used to occasionally drop into the local Petsmart see if there were any females with mouthfuls (20 fish for the price of one!). On one particular visit, there were a group of pre-schoolers being given a tour through the fish department. The oh-so knowledgeable employee was highlighting the Oscar tank, and these were her words to the naive children: "now these fish are called Oscars. They're very mean. In fact, they're also very closely related to their cousin the piranha!" Oh those poor innocent children... Myth: Fish will grow to the size of the tank
Each fish has a maximum potential size. However, when they produce waste in the water, they release hormones into the water. The hormones and waste will slow and potentially restrict their growth. So as long as you continue to remove these by making frequent water changes, the fish can quickly reach its maximum size, uninhibited.
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Cichlid Keeping 
