Author: Valenciennes, 1850
FBname: True big-scale tetra
Comments: More common in rivers than lakes; feeds on insects, crustaceans, fish, vegetation and debris (Ref. 28714). Considering the distribution of different forms (according to collection determinations), it should be noted that a <i>B. macrolepidotus</i> 'form' is found only in northern regions, while a <i>B. schoutedi</i> 'form' is found only in southern regions. However, between these two forms there appears to be mixing and intermediacy of forms. We consider that there are several populations which have evolved in a geographical gradient to produce different morphotypes of a single species (Ref. 80290).