Soda cichlid/Alcolapia alcalia

Saw this little cichlid while researching, and seemed worth looking into. What is your experience with the Soda Cichlid, Alcolapia Alcalia, or what do you know about it? Thanks in advance.

 

Perfect extremophiles. 30°C temp is low for them and pH of 9-10 with a hardness off the charts. Hard to come by, as few stores can keep them and they tend to not ship well.
I have only once seen them in the flesh at a zoo exhibit.

 

Super neat fish. Males are spectacular. Shipping isn't really anything to be worried about in my experience. They also don't need Lake Natron conditions to thrive in captivity. If your state side, they are around. Freshwaterfishfan has them on Aquabid occasionally

 

Just researched its natural habitat.

They also don't need Lake Natron conditions to thrive in captivity.

So can they be kept in average aquarium water conditions?

 

So can they be kept in average aquarium water conditions?

Average likely not, as I got the conditions Berlin Zoo Aquarium keeps them in: Their pH is about 9 and temp 30°C.
Those readings sound like a compromise to me. I guess with enough acclimation temps a bit below 30°C might be possible but I doubt it's possible to lower the pH much.
So a species tank would be necessary in any case, though only because of the conditions.

 

Just researched its natural habitat.

So can they be kept in average aquarium water conditions?

....what is average aquarium water conditions?

 

....what is average aquarium water conditions?

You know, the range of water conditions that most common aquarium fish species can tolerate. 70-84 F°, 6-8.5 ph, etc.

 

You know, the range of water conditions that most common aquarium fish species can tolerate. 70-84 F°, 6-8.5 ph, etc.

Probably not? Think of Tanganyika + as a safe starting point

 

Well the soda cichlid was just kind of a "theoretical consideration" anyways. Does anyone know of some other rare or mostly unheard of cichlid species?