Graham's Tilapia

About

Found only in the scorching, hyper-alkaline waters of Kenya's Lake Magadi, Alcolapia grahami is one of the most physiologically unusual cichlids in existence. The lake is essentially a hot soda flat. Temperatures routinely exceed 100°F, pH hovers around 9.5 to 10.5, and dissolved mineral concentrations would kill virtually any other fish. This species has adapted in remarkable ways: rather than excreting ammonia like most fish, it expels urea through its gills, a workaround for water so alkaline that normal ammonia excretion would be nearly impossible. It also gulps atmospheric air at the surface when dissolved oxygen runs low, a behavior seen less often in captive fish kept in better-oxygenated water. In the aquarium, it can be acclimatized to somewhat more moderate conditions, though the pH should remain firmly alkaline. It's territorial with others of its kind but not especially aggressive toward unrelated tankmates. The real challenge is simply meeting its unusual water chemistry needs. Breeding has been achieved but is uncommon, partly because the fish is genuinely rare in the hobby. It's a maternal mouthbrooder, with interesting spawning pit behavior from the male. A fascinating species for the experienced keeper willing to do their homework before acquiring one.