Barton's cichlid
Herichthys bartoni
Also known as Bartoni cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F
- 24–29°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 8.7 in
- 22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 79 gal
- 300 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Media Luna springs, Mexico
Overview
Barton's cichlid is a hardy Mexican cichlid from a spring-fed system. It suits a stony tank and a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
When a pair of Barton's cichlids spawns, both fish change into a bold breeding dress. The body goes deep black under a chalk-white back and forehead, a sharp reversal of their everyday gray. The change is easy to spot across the tank.
Caring for the Barton's cichlid
Give a Barton's cichlid at least 79 gal (300 L), with a sand or fine gravel floor, flat rocks and some open space. Add sturdy structure to break up sight lines. It stays near the bottom, digging and grazing.
Keep the water warm, hard and alkaline, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. It is an omnivore, so feed quality pellets, frozen foods and some vegetable matter. Avoid an all-meat diet.
House a single fish or a bonded pair rather than a group. It turns aggressive around a spawning site, so choose tank mates with caution. Pick other robust Central American cichlids that can hold their own, and give everyone room to spread out.
It is a substrate spawner that forms pairs and guards its eggs. Breeding it is moderately difficult.
Good to know
Barton's cichlid is a member of the cichlid family. Adults wear a black-and-white to pale gray pattern, and yellow and blue morphs also occur in the wild.
In the wild
Barton's cichlid is restricted to the warm, clear spring waters of La Media Luna and the upper Verde. Both lie in the Panuco basin of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The habitat around these hard-water springs is mineral-rich and stony rather than heavily planted.
Common questions
What size tank does a Barton's cichlid need?
A Barton's cichlid needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Barton's cichlid need?
A Barton's cichlid is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a Barton's cichlid eat?
A Barton's cichlid is an omnivore that eats quality pellets, frozen foods and some vegetable matter. Avoid feeding it an all-meat diet.
How big does a Barton's cichlid get?
An adult Barton's cichlid reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).
How does a Barton's cichlid breed?
Barton's cichlids are substrate spawners that pair off and guard their eggs. Breeding them is moderately difficult.
Related species
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