Bario forestii
Bario forestii, commonly called Forest's tetra, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish in the family Characidae. It is a small tetra native to central South America, described scientifically in 2009.
Taxonomy
The species was formally described by Ricardo C. Benine, Tatiane C. Mariguela, and Claudio Oliveira in 2009 as Moenkhausia forestii. The specific name forestii honors the ichthyologist Fausto Foresti for his contributions to fish genetics. The genus Moenkhausia itself is named after William J. Moenkhaus.
In 2024, the species was transferred to genus Bario.
Description
Bario forestii is a small characin, with adults reaching a maximum standard length of approximately 36.4 mm. It has a laterally compressed body with an incomplete lateral line composed of 23–26 pored scales. The species' coloration includes a reticulated pattern on the body scales and a humeral spot. The eye may exhibit a reddish hue. Morphological features such as the number of scale rows above and below the lateral line differentiate it from closely related species.
Distribution and habitat
This species is native to Brazil, primarily in rivers of the Paraguay and upper Paraná basins, including tributaries in the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Paraná. There is also evidence suggesting expanded distribution into adjacent basins, potentially due to connectivity structures such as fish passages. It inhabits subtropical freshwater environments.
Conservation
Bario forestii is not currently regarded as threatened.