Gonorynchiformes is an order

Order (biology)

In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...

 of ray-finned fish

Actinopterygii

The Actinopterygii or ray-finned fishes constitute a class or sub-class of the bony fishes.The ray-finned fishes are so called because they possess lepidotrichia or "fin rays", their fins being webs of skin supported by bony or horny spines , as opposed to the fleshy, lobed fins that characterize...

 that includes the important food source, the milkfish

Milkfish

The milkfish is the sole living species in the family Chanidae. - Description and biology :...

 (Chanos chanos, family Chanidae), and a number of lesser-known types, both marine

Ocean

An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...

 and freshwater

Freshwater

Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...

.

The alternate spelling "Gonorhynchiformes", with an "h", is frequently seen but not official.

Gonorynchiformes have small mouths and no teeth. They are the sole group in the clade Anotophysi, a subgroup of the superorder Ostariophysi

Ostariophysi

Ostariophysi is the second-largest superorder of fish. Members of this superorder are called ostariophysians. This diverse group contains almost 8,000 species, about 28% of known fish species in the world and 68% of freshwater species, and are present on all major continents except Antarctica...

. They are characterized by a primitive Weberian apparatus

Weberian apparatus

The Weberian apparatus is an anatomical structure that connects the swim bladder to the auditory system in fishes belonging to the Superorder Ostariophysi. When it is fully developed in adult fish, the elements of the apparatus are sometimes collectively referred to as the Weberian ossicles...

 formed by the first three vertebrae and one or more cephalic ribs within the head. This apparatus is believed to be a hearing organ, and is found in a more advanced and complex form in the related cypriniform

Cypriniformes

The Cypriniformes are an order of ray-finned fish, including the carps, minnows, loaches and relatives. This order contains 5-6 families, over 320 genera, and more than 3,250 species, with new species being described every few months or so, and new genera being recognized regularly...

 fish, such as carp

Carp

Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...

. Also like the cypriniforms, the gonorynchiforms produce a substance from their skin when injured that dissolves into the water and acts an alarm signal to other fish.

Taxonomy

Although many of the families are rather small, there are several fossil genera. Here is a listing of the groups of Gonorynchiformes including fossil fish with a short description. They are listed in approximate order of how primitive their characteristics are.

Order Sorbininardiformes (extinct)

Family Sorbininardidae (extinct)

Sorbininardus (extinct) - sister group to all other Gonorynchiformes

Order Gonorynchiformes

Suborder Chanoidei

Aethalinopsis (extinct) - sister group to Chanidae from Early Cretaceous

Cretaceous

The Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...

.

Family Chanidae - milkfishes

Subfamily Rubiesichthyinae (extinct)

Gordichthys (extinct) - Early Cretaceous Chanid

Rubiesichthys

Rubiesichthys

Rubiesichthys is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish.-See also:* Prehistoric fish* List of prehistoric bony fish-External links:*...

(extinct) - Early Cretaceous Chanid

Subfamily Chaninae

Chanos

Dastilbe

Dastilbe

Dastilbe is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish from Brazil that lived during the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous epoch....

(extinct) - Early Cretaceous Chanid

Parachanos (extinct) - Early Cretaceous Chanid

Tharrhias

Tharrhias

Tharrhias is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish that lived during the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous epoch.-See also:* Prehistoric fish* List of prehistoric bony fish...

(extinct) - Early Cretaceous Chanid

Suborder Gonorynchoidei - beaked sandfishes

Apulichthys (extinct) - primitive sister group to Gonorynchoids.

Family Gonorynchidae

Notogoneus

Notogoneus

Notogoneus is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish. A trace fossil attributed to Notogoneus osculus has been found in the Green River Formation.-See also:* Prehistoric fish* List of prehistoric bony fish...

(extinct) - from North America, Europe, Australia; some freshwater; Late Cretaceous to Oligocene; sister group to Gonorynchus

Charitosomus

Charitosomus

Charitosomus is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish.-See also:* Prehistoric fish* List of prehistoric bony fish...

(extinct) - Cretaceous Gonorynchid

Judeichthys

Judeichthys

Judeichthys is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish that lived during the lower Cenomanian.-See also:* Prehistoric fish* List of prehistoric bony fish...

(extinct)

Ramallichthys

Ramallichthys

Ramallichthys is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish that lived during the lower Cenomanian.-See also:* Prehistoric fish* List of prehistoric bony fish...

(extinct)

Charitopsis

Charitopsis

Charitopsis is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish that lived during the lower Cenomanian.-See also:* Prehistoric fish* List of prehistoric bony fish...

(extinct)

Gonorynchus

Suborder Knerioidei

Family Kneriidae

Kneriidae

The Kneriidae are a small family of freshwater gonorhynchiform fishes native to Africa.They typically live in fast-flowing highland streams, and are small fish, no more than in length. Some species are sexually dimorphic, with the male possessing a rosette on the gill covers that is absent in the...

Cromeria

Cromeria

Cromeria is a small genus of fish in the Kneriidae family. It contains two described species. Members inhabit fresh waters in Africa. The size of males reaches up to 3.5 cm in the case of Cromeria occidentalis.- Range of members :...

Grasseichthys

Kneria

Kneria

Kneria is a genus of small fish in the family Kneriidae. All 13 species in this genus are restricted to Africa.- Species:* Kneria angolensis Steindachner, 1866* Kneria ansorgii...

Parakneria

Parakneria

Parakneria is a genus of fish in the family Kneriidae. There are 14 species in this genus, all of which are restricted to Africa.- Species :* Parakneria abbreviata * Parakneria cameronensis...

Family Phractolaemidae

Phractolaemus