Discussion
It is notable that the color of the type specimens of B. ornatus was recorded as silver with blue bars in the original
description (Sauvage 1883). This suggests that coloration was recorded live or very fresh when collected because
this blue color quickly turns dark or fades shortly after death. Thus, the presence of vertical bars on the flank is
confirmed, even though all bars on the preserved type specimens have disappeared (Fig. 1C).
Kottelat (1984) examined both type specimens of B. ornatus and designated a lectotype and a paralectotype,
and noted several errors in the original description. The type specimens of B. ornatus have small maxillary barbels
and 41 scales in the lateral-line row as opposed to no barbels and 45 scales in the original description. Kottelat
(1984) then compared B. ornatus with Barilius specimens from the Nam Yuan (a tributary of the Salween that is
likely the Yuam River) which he designated as B. barnoides and concluded that they are different species based on
the smaller eye (diameter 5.3–6.5%SL vs. 7.4–7.6%SL in B. ornatus), longer caudal peduncle (17–19% SL vs.
14–16% SL in B. ornatus), shorter prepelvic length (47–48% SL vs. 52–53% SL in B. ornatus), and shorter preanal
length (64–68% SL vs. 69–72% SL in B. ornatus).