Ostariophysi
| Ostariophysi Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| Milkfish, Chanos chanos | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Cohort: | Otocephala |
| Superorder: | Ostariophysi Sagemehl 1885 |
| 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. Members of this group include fish important to people for food, sport, the aquarium industry, and research.