Our main tank is in my clinic where I get to Chiropractic it up and talk to people during the day. I'm actually surprised at how many patients keep cichlids who come through our clinics.
There is obviously selection bias for this as people will start the conversation "hey, I keep cichlids" or "my folks/partner keep them". I assume the bias would be consistent that all people that keep fish may start the same conversation and cichlids come up as frequently as gold fish and I haven't met a mariner in the clinic. I definitely have had loads of businesses ask questions about the the tank, maintenance, species and stocking.
You may be correct that there is a shift, I'm always surprised at how cheap some of the used tanks come up for sale, in fact I often think I'm not sure I'd trust that on my lounge room carpet. Perhaps there are some hobbyists that have loved their cichlids (and grown colonies on a smaller budget) have found the overheads have outstripped the profits from the tanks and have chosen to retire the habit.
Perhaps the shift you are feeling may encourage new lines into the hobby in perth rather than less. I am biased as our LFS (in canning vale) has been amazing and ordered rarer stock from abroad where perhaps shops would not of if there was bulk local stock.
I've friends that have other freshwater fish in their clinics, friends that have large saltwater tanks. Personally I don't think anything is as colourful and as bad ass as cichlids, I think costs aside the africans (well chosen) are entertaining and beautiful to look at and the inner scientist loves the diversity we see in individual species depending on its cove.
Delapool, I actually fear it is worse than you think. Goldfish/cichlids/rays are out. From the last auction its all about the shrimp