Ostariophysi Temporal range:
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Milkfish, Chanos chanos | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Cohort: | Otocephala |
Superorder: | Ostariophysi Lord, 1922 |
Orders with number of species | |
Gonorynchiformes 37 |
Ostariophysi is the second-largest superorder of fish. Members of this superorder are called ostariophysians. This diverse group contains 10,758 species, about 28% of known fish species in the world and 68% of freshwater species, and are present on all continents except Antarctica. They have a number of common characteristics such as an alarm substance and a Weberian apparatus.[1] Members of this group include fish important to people for food, sport, the aquarium industry, and research.