Cetomimoidea

The Cetomimoidea or whalefishes are a superfamily of small, deep-sea ray-finned fish. Formerly treated as either their own order (Cetomimiformes) due to their unusual anatomy, more recent studies incorporating genetic data confirm them to be deeply nested within the Beryciformes as a clade within Stephanoberycoidei (which was formerly also treated as its own order). They are thus better treated as their own superfamily, Cetomimoidea.

Within this group are five families and approximately 18 genera and 32 species (but see below). Thought to have a circumglobal distribution throughout the tropical and temperate latitudes, whalefishes have been recorded at depths in excess of 3,500 metres.