For all the above stated really. Africans are mean but you can crowd them up in a tank better than CA's. Generally they are prettier and only get about 5" in a lot of cases. Africans are also cheaper and easier to care for. I kept Tanganyikans for a while and while pretty they are pretty boring. CA/SA have personality, something lacking in african cichlids IMO. I even kept some madagascan cichlids for a while, the rare stuff and they still don't compare personality wise! Community fish are what really sell. Those and Africans.....BOO! LOL