Since then, over the years Herichthys bartoni has flittered in and out several genera. In 1898 Jordan and Evermann moved it to the genus Cichlasoma, several years later the British ichthyologist Charles Tate Regan briefly included the fish in the subgenus Parapetenia, but then later moved back to Cichlasoma. However, in 1983 Sven Kullander began restricting Cichlasoma to 12 species, therefore bartoni would need to be placed in another genus. It was later suggested that it should be described under the Nandopsis complex by Warren Burgess where you may find the cichlid listed in older literature. Sven Kullander since listed the cichlid under the Herichthys complex where it is now considered and widely described under. However of note, Robert Rush Miller did not support the Herichthys suggestion and named it‘ Cichlasoma’ bartoni in his book“ Freshwater Fishes of Mexico”. There are 12 species within the Herichthys complex, 9 valid, 3 potentially undescribed, this does not include the 5 synonyms. It is regarded that there are two groups to separate the complex. First group is the Herichthys labridens group, the other is Herichthys cyanoguttatus. Which group H. bartoni belongs to is open to opinion, however, many experts believe that it is more likely part of the H. cyanoguttatus group. Diagnostic traits appear to bear little resemblance to the H. labridens group, but black-white breeding colours, feeding behaviour red to purple scales- less zones behind the pectoral fins seems for some to link them more to H. cyanoguttatus?
Biotope Information
Herichthys bartoni is found in the many Rio Verde valley springs, Media Luna perhaps being the largest. Media Luna is situated in the Rio Verde Valley in the San Luis Potosí state, Central Mexico. Part of the Rio Panuco basin, It is divided into 3 separate biotopes- the main spring, the natural channel and the man-made drainage channels. The water is mainly calm except in the irrigation channels with clear visibility and temperatures between 27- 32C / 81-90F. Northern ranges can experience much lower temperatures in winter and the dry season.
The natural channel and surrounding Río Verde valley. © Rune Evjeberg / Freshwater Biotopes
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