Barton's cichlid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barton's cichlid |
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Barton's cichlid (Herichthys bartoni) is a special type of cichlid fish. It lives only in freshwater springs in the upper Panuco River area of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. This means it is endemic to that specific region.
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About Barton's Cichlid
How it Got its Name
Barton's cichlid was first found in 1890. A Mexican biologist named Alfredo Dugès discovered it. He was traveling in Rioverde, San Luis Potosí at the time. Four fish were sent to a fish expert, Tarleton Hoffman Bean. In 1892, Bean officially described the species. He named it Acara bartoni. The name bartoni honors Bean's brother, Barton Appler Bean. His brother was an assistant curator at the U.S. National Museum.
For a while, some scientists thought this fish belonged to a new group called Nosferatu. This idea came from a study in 2014. However, other studies in 2015 and 2016 disagreed. They showed that the fish still fit best in the Herichthys group. So, Barton's cichlid is now back in the Herichthys family.
In Mexico, people often call this fish "mojarra caracolera." This means "snail mojarra." They also call it the Media Luna cichlid.
Its Family Tree
Herichthys bartoni is very closely related to another fish, Herichthys labridens. This other fish lives in a small lake called La Media Luna. Scientists believe these two fish split into separate species about 1 million years ago. This happened during the Pliocene era, which was about 3 million years ago (Mya). Studies of their Mitochondrial DNA even suggest they might have mixed together again recently.
What it Looks Like
Barton's cichlid usually has a black-and-white or light grey color when it's grown up. This helps tell it apart from other Herichthys fish. But sometimes, you can find yellow and blue fish of this species too.
Males and females look a bit different. This is called sexual dimorphism. Male fish are darker than females. During breeding season, the males turn a very deep black. They look almost like they are wearing a tuxedo!
Where it Lives
Barton's cichlid only lives in the upper Panuco River basin. This area is in Mexico. You can find it especially in the upper Rio Verde and La Media Luna areas. It also lives in the river systems around these places.
Its Life and Habits
Barton's cichlid lives in the same places as its close relative, Herichthys labridens. It also shares its home with several other types of fish. These include the banded astynax and the blackstripe minnow. You might also see the Rio Verde catfish and the striped goodeid. Unfortunately, an invasive fish called tilapia has also moved into their habitat.
Why it Needs Our Help
Barton's cichlid is an endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. The IUCN Red List has given it this status. Its population is getting smaller. It lives in a very small area. And its natural home is being damaged.
The good news is that Mexican law protects this fish. It is listed as a "species at risk." In 2003, La Media Luna was made a protected natural area. This area is managed by the Mexican government. Scientists believe that most of the Barton's cichlid population lives in this protected area.
In 1956, studies showed that Barton's cichlid was very common in La Media Luna. It made up about 40% of the fish found there. But by 2006, its numbers had dropped a lot. It was only 3.6% of the fish in the area. By 2017, it was one of the rarest fish in the nearby streams and rivers. This shows how much help it needs to survive.
