Graham's Soda Cichlid

Special requirements

• Extreme Alkaline Environment

  Endemic to Lake Magadi. pH must be maintained above 8.0, with natural levels reaching 10.5. High buffering capacity (KH) is essential.

• Urea Excretion

  Unlike most fish, it excretes urea rather than ammonia to survive in high alkalinity. This requires specialized biological monitoring.

• Atmospheric Respiration

  Will periodically gulp air from the surface to supplement oxygen intake, an adaptation to the low oxygen solubility of hot, saline water.

• High Temperature Baseline

  Requires constant high heat. Minimum temperature should be 28°C (82°F), but they are adapted to thrive in water up to 40°C (104°F).