Name: Percomorphi; Acanthopteri; Perch-like fish.
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous–recent.
Synonym:
Percomorpha; Acanthopteri.
Name:
Perciformes means perch-like.
Genera: 10000 species; 160 families.
ZoologyFins: dorsal and anal fins are divided into anterior spiny and posterior soft-rayed portions, partially or completely separated; pelvic fins usually have one spine and up to five soft rays, positioned unusually far forward under the chin or under the belly.
Scales: usually ctenoid, rough to the touch, sometimes cycloid, smooth to the touch, or otherwise modified.
Size: 7 mm to 5 m.
TaxonomyPercomorpha is order or superorder of ray-finned fish. It is the largest order of vertebrates, containing about 41% of all bony fish.
Classification of this group is controversial, almost certainly paraphyletic. Orders that should possibly be included as suborders are the
Scorpaeniformes,
Tetraodontiformes, and
Pleuronectiformes. Of the presently recognized suborders, several may be paraphyletic, as well.