I'm with you on this, luciferase. The idea of a local species tank really appeals to me, too. Even my boys have often commented on how beautiful the sunfish/bluegills are that they catch and how similar they look to some of the tropical/semi-tropical cichlids.
From what I gather, down in Texas where you are the local waters will have both sunfish and cichlids...like in the San Marcos River, see this link:
Cichlid Research Home Page: Cichlids in the San Marcos River, Texas
Up here in the N.E. I think we only have one type of killifish and it is not as pretty as that one you show, or at least I've never seen colorful ones. We only get the more plain looking banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus).