A Classification of Fishes (Nelson 2006)

Modified by Ron Coleman from Nelson, J.S. (2006) Fishes of the World. 4th Edition. Wiley, New Jersey.

Class 1. Myxini hagfishes

Order 1. Myxiniformes hagfishes

F1. Myxinidae hagfishes

Class 2. Petromyzontida lampreys

Order 2. Petromyzontiformes lampreys

F2. Petromyzontidae northern lampreys

F3. Geotriidae southern lampreys

F4. Mordaciidae southern topeyed

lampreys

Class 3. Placodermi

Class 4. Chondrichthyes cartilaginous fishes

Order 3. Chimaeriformes chimaeras

F5. Callorhinchidae plownose chimaeras

F6. Rhinochimaeridae longnose chimaeras

F7. Chimaeridae shortnose chimaeras

or ratfishes

Order 4. Heterodontiformes bullhead sharks

F8. Heterodontidae bullhead sharks

Order 5. Orectolobiformes carpet sharks

F9. Parascyllidae collared carpet sharks

F10. Brachaeluridae blind sharks

F11. Orectolobidae wobbegongs

F12. Hemiscyllidae bamboo sharks

F13. Stegostomatidae zebra shark

F14. Ginglymostomatidae nurse sharks

F15. Rhincodontidae whale sharks

Order 6. Lamniformes mackerel sharks

F16. Odontaspididae sand tiger sharks

F17. Mitsukurinidae goblin sharks

F18. Pseudocarchariidae crocodile sharks

F19. Megachasmidae megamouth sharks

F20. Alopiidae thresher sharks

F21. Cetorhinidae basking sharks

F22. Lamnidae mackerel sharks

Order 7. Carcharhiniformes ground sharks

F23. Scyliorhinidae cat sharks

F24. Proscyllidae finback cat sharks

F25. Pseudotriakidae false cat sharks

F26. Leptochariidae barbeled hound sharks

F27. Triakidae hound sharks

F28. Hemigaleidae weasel sharks

F29. Carcharhinidae requiem sharks

F30. Sphyrnidae hammerhead sharks

Order 8. Hexanchiformes six-gill sharks

F31. Chlamydoselachidae frill sharks

F32. Hexanchidae cow sharks

Order 9. Echinorhiniformes bramble sharks

F33. Echinorhinidae bramble sharks

Order 10. Squaliformes dogfish sharks

F34. Squalidae dogfish sharks

F35. Centrophoridae gulper sharks

F36. Etmopteridae lantern sharks

F37. Somniosidae sleeper sharks

F38. Oxynotidae rough sharks

F39. Dalatiidae kitefin sharks

Order 11. Squatiniformes angel sharks

F40. Squatinidae angel sharks

Order 12. Pristiophoriformes saw sharks

F41. Pristiophoridae saw sharks

Order 13. Torpediniformes electric rays

F42. Torpedinidae torpedo electric rays

F43. Narcinidae numbfishes

Order 14. Pristiformes sawfishes

F44. Pristidae sawfishes

Order 15. Rajiformes skates

F45. Rhinidae bowmouth guitarfishes

F46. Rhynchobatidae wedgefishes

F47. Rhinobatidae guitarfishes

F48. Rajidae skates

Order 16. Myliobatiformes stingrays

F49. Platyrhinidae thornbacks

F50. Zanobatidae panrays

F51. Hexatrydonidae sixgill stingrays

F52. Plesiobatidae deepwater stingrays

F53. Urolophidae round stingrays

F54. Urotrygonidae American round

stingrays

F55. Dasyatidae whiptail stingrays

F56. Potamotrygonidae river stingrays

F57. Gymnuridae butterfly rays

F58. Myliobatididae eagle rays

Class 5. Acanthodii (extinct)

Class 6. Actinopterygii ray-finned fishes

Order 17. Polypteriformes bichirs

F59. Polypteridae bichirs

Order 18. Acipenseriformes sturgeons

F60. Acipenseridae sturgeons

F61. Polyodontidae paddlefishes

Order 19. Lepisosteiformes gars

F62. Lepisosteidae gars

Order 20. Amiiformes bowfins

F63. Amiidae bowfins

Order 21. Hiodontiformes mooneyes

F64. Hiodontidae mooneyes

Order 22. Osteoglossiformes bonytongues

F65. Osteoglossidae osteoglossids or bonytongues

F66. Notopteridae featherfin knifefishes or Old World

knifefishes

F67. Mormyridae elephantfishes

F68. Gymnarchidae aba

Order 23. Elopiformes tenpounders

F69. Elopidae tenpounders

F70. Megalopidae tarpons

Order 24. Albuliformes bonefishes

F71. Albulidae bonefishes

F72. Halosauridae halosaurs

F73. Notacanthidae spiny eels

Order 25. Anguilliformes eels

F74. Anguillidae freshwater eels

F75. Heterenchelyidae mud eels

F76. Moringuidae spaghetti eels

F77. Chlopsidae false morays

F78. Myrocongridae myroconger eels

F79. Muraenidae moray eels

F80. Synaphobranchidae cutthroat eels

F81. Ophichthidae snake eels and worm eels

F82. Colocongridae shorttail eels

F83. Derichthyidae longneck eels

F84. Muraenesocidae pike congers

F85. Nemichthyidae snipe eels

F86. Congridae conger eels

F87. Nettastomatidae duckbill eels

F88. Serrivomeridae sawtooth eels

Order 26. Saccopharyngiformes sackpharynx fishes

F89. Cyematidae bobtail snipe eels

F90. Saccopharyngidae swallowers

F91. Eurypharyngidae gulpers or pelican eels

F92. Monognathidae onejaw gulpers

Order 27. Clupeiformes herrings

F93. Denticipitidae denticle herrings

F94. Pristigasteridae longfish herrings

F95. Engraulidae anchovies

F96. Chirocentridae wolf herrings

F97. Clupeidae herrings

Order 28. Gonorynchiformes milkfishes

F98. Chanidae milkfishes

F99. Gonorhynchidae beaked sandfishes

F100. Kneriidae knerias

F101. Phractolaemidae snake mudheads

Order 29. Cypriniformes carps

F102. Cyprinidae minnows or carps

F103. Psilorhynchidae mountain carps

F104. Gyrinocheilidae algae eaters

F105. Catostomidae suckers

F106. Cobitidae loaches

F107. Balitoridae river loaches

Order 30. Characiformes characins

F108. Distichodontidae distichodontids

F109. Citharinidae citharinids

F110. Parodontidae parodontids

F111. Curimatidae toothless characiforms

F112. Prochilodontidae flannel-mouth characiforms

F113. Anostomidae toothed headstanders

F114. Chilodontidae headstanders

F115. Crenuchidae South American darters

F116. Hemiodontidae hemiodontids

F117. Alestiidae African tetras

F118. Gasteropelecidae freshwater hatchetfishes

F119. Characidae characins

F120. Acestrorhynchidae acestrorhynchids

F121. Cynodontidae cynodontids

F122. Erythrinidae trahiras

F123. Lebiasinidae pencil fishes

F124. Ctenoluciidae pike-characids

F125. Hepsetidae African pikes

Order 31. Siluriformes catfishes

F126. Diplomystidae velvet catfishes

F127. Cetopsidae whalelike catfishes

F128. Amphiliidae loach catfishes

F129. Trichomycteridae pencil catfishes or parasitic catfishes

F130. Nematogenyidae mountain catfishes

F131. Callichthyidae callichthyid armored catfishes

F132. Scoloplacidae spiny dwarf catfishes

F133. Astroblepidae climbing catfishes

F134. Loricariidae suckermouth armored catfishes

F135. Amblycipitidae torrent catfishes

F136. Akysidae stream catfishes

F137. Sisoridae sisorid catfishes

F138. Erethistidae erethistid catfishes

F139. Aspredinidae banjo catfishes

F140. Pseudopimelodidae bumblebee catfishes

F141. Heptapteridae heptapterids

F142. Cranoglanididae armorhead catfishes

F143. Ictaluridae North American catfishes

F144. Mochokidae squeakers or upside-down catfishes

F145. Doradidae thorny catfishes

F146. Auchenipteridae driftwood catfishes

F147. Siluridae sheatfishes

F148. Malapteruridae electric catfishes

F149. Auchenoglanididae auchenoglandids

F150. Chacidae squarehead, angler or frogmouth

catfishes

F151. Plotosidae eeltail catfishes

F152. Clariidae airbreathing catfishes

F153. Heteropneustidae airsac catfishes

F154. Austroglanidae austroglanids

F155. Claroteidae claroteids

F156. Ariidae sea catfishes

F157. Schilbidae schilbeid catfishes

F158. Pangasiidae shark catfishes

F159. Bagridae bagrid catfishes

F160. Pimelodidae long-whiskered catfishes

Order 32. Gymnotiformes American knifefishes

F161. Gymnotidae nakedback knifefishes

F162. Rhamphichthyidae sand knifefishes

F163. Hypopomidae bluntnose knifefishes

F164. Sternopygidae glass knifefishes

F165. Apteronotidae ghost knifefishes

Order 33. Argentiniformes marine smelts

F166. Argentinidae argentines or herring smelts

F167. Opisthoproctidae barreleyes or spookfishes

F168. Microstomatidae pencil smelts

F169. Platytroctidae tubeshoulders

F170. Bathylaconidae bathylaconids

F171. Alepocephalidae slickheads

Order 34. Osmeriformes smelts

F172. Osmeridae smelts

F173. Retropinnidae New Zealand smelts

F174. Galaxiidae galaxiids

Order 35. Salmoniformes trouts

F175. Salmonidae salmonids

Order 36. Esociformes pikes

F176. Esocidae pikes

F177. Umbridae mudminnows

Order 37. Stomiiformes dragonfishes

F178. Diplphidae

F179. Gonostomatidae bristlemouths

F180. Sternoptychidae marine hatchetfishes

F181. Phosichthyidae lightfishes

F182. Stomiidae barbeled dragonfishes

Order 38. Ateleopodiformes jellynose fishes

F183. Ateleopodidae jellynose fishes

Order 39. Aulopiformes lizardfishes

F184. Paraulopidae cucumber fishes

F185. Aulopidae flagfins

F186. Pseudotrichonotidae sandiving lizardfishes

F187. Synodontidae lizardfishes

F188. Bathysauroididae bathysauroidids

F189. Chlorophthalmidae greeneyes

F190. Bathysauropsidae bathysauropsids

F191. Notosudidae waryfishes

F192. Ipnopidae deepsea tripod fishes

F193. Scopelarchidae pearleyes

F194. Evermannellidae sabertooth fishes

F195. Alepisauridae lancetfishes

F196. Paralepididae barracudinas

F197. Bathysauridae deepsea lizardfishes

F198. Giganturidae telescopefishes

Order 40. Myctophiformes lanternfishes

F199. Neoscopelidae blackchins

F200. Myctophidae lanternfishes

Order 41. Lampridiformes opahs

F201. Veliferidae velifers

F202. Lamprididae opahs

F203. Stylephoridae tube-eyes or thread-tails

F204. Lophotidae crestfishes

F205. Radiicephalidae tapertails

F206. Trachipteridae ribbonfishes

F207. Regalecidae oarfishes

Order 42. Polymixiiformes beardfishes

F208. Polymixiidae beardfishes

Order 43. Percopsiformes trout-perches

F209. Percopsidae trout-perches

F210. Aphredoderidae pirate perch

F211. Amblyopsidae cavefishes

Order 44. Gadiformes cods

F212. Muraenolepididae eel cods

F213. Bregmacerotidae codlets

F214. Euclichthyidae eucla cod

F215. Macrouridae grenadiers

F216. Moridae deep-sea cods

F217. Melanonidae pelagic cods

F218. Merlucciidae merluccid hakes

F219. Phycidae phycid hakes

F220. Gadidae cods

Order 45. Ophidiiformes cusk-eels

F221. Carapidae pearlfishes

F222. Ophidiidae cusk-eels

F223. Bythitidae viviparous brotulas

F224. Aphyonidae aphyonids

F225. Parabrotulidae false brotulas

Order 46. Batrachoidiformes toadfishes

F226. Batrachoididae toadfishes

Order 47. Lophiiformes anglerfishes

F227. Lophiidae goosefishes

F228. Antennariidae frogfishes

F229. Tetrabrachiidae tetrabrachiid frogfishes

F230. Lopichthyidae lophichthyid frogfishes

F231. Brachionichthyidae handfishes

F232. Chaunacidae coffinfishes or sea toads

F233. Ogcocephalidae batfishes

F234. Caulophrynidae fanfins

F235. Neoceratiidae toothed seadevils

F236. Melanocetidae black seadevils

F237. Himantolophidae footballfishes

F238. Diceratiidae double anglers

F239. Oneirodidae dreamers

F240. Thaumatichthyidae wolftrap anglers

F241. Centrophrynidae deepsea anglerfishes

F242. Ceratiidae seadevils

F243. Gigantactinidae whipnoses anglers

F244. Linophrynidae leftvents

Order 48. Mugiliformes mullets

F245. Mugilidae mullets

Order 49. Atheriniformes silversides

F246. Atherinopsidae New World silversides

F247. Notocheiridae surf sardines

F248. Melanotaeniidae rainbowfishes and blue eyes

F249. Atherionidae pricklenose silversides

F250. Phallostethidae tusked silversides and priapiumfishes

F251. Atherinidae Old World silversides

Order 50. Beloniformes needlefishes

F252. Adrianichthyidae adrianichthyids

F253. Exocoetidae flyingfishes

F254. Hemiramphidae halfbeaks

F255. Belonidae needlefishes

F256. Scomberesocidae sauries

Order 51. Cyprinodontiformes killifishes

F257. Aplocheilidae Asian rivulines

F258. Nothobranchiidae African rivulines

F259. Rivulidae New World rivulines

F260. Profundulidae Middle American killifishes

F261. Goodeidae goodeids

F262. Fundulidae topminnows

F263. Valenciidae Valencia toothcarps

F264. Cyprinodontidae pupfishes

F265. Anablepidae four-eyed fishes

F266. Poeciliidae livebearers

Order 52. Stephanoberyciformes pricklefishes

F267. Melamphaidae bigscale fishes

F268. Stephanoberycidae pricklefishes

F269. Hispidoberycidae hispidoberycids

F270. Gibberichthyidae gibberfishes

F271. Rondeletiidae redmouth whalefishes

F272. Barbourisiidae red whalefishes

F273. Cetomimidae flabby whalefishes

F274. Mirapinnidae tapertails

F275. Megalomycteridae largenose fishes

Order 53. Beryciformes alfonso squirrelfishes

F276. Anoplogastridae fangtooths

F277. Diretmidae spinyfins

F278. Anomalopidae flashlight fishes

F279. Monocentrididae pinecone fishes

F280. Trachichthyidae roughies

F281. Berycidae alfonsinos

F282. Holocentridae squirrelfishes

Order 54. Zeiformes dories

F283. Cyttidae lookdown dories

F284. Oreosomatidae oreos

F285. Parazenidae smooth dories

F286. Zeniontidae armoreye dories

F287. Grammicolepididae tinselfishes

F288. Zeidae dories

Order 55. Gasterosteiformes sticklebacks

F289. Hypoptychidae sand eel

F290. Aulorhynchidae tubesnouts

F291. Gasterosteidae sticklebacks

F292. Indostomidae armored sticklebacks

F293. Pegasidae seamoths

F294. Solenostomidae ghost pipefishes

F295. Syngnathidae pipefishes and seahorses

F296. Aulostomidae trumpetfishes

F297. Fistulariidae cornetfishes

F298. Macrorhamphosidae snipefishes

F299. Centriscidae shrimpfishes

Order 56. Synbranchiformes swamp eels

F300. Synbranchidae swamp eels

F301. Chaudhuriidae earthworm eels

F302. Mastacembelidae spiny eels

Order 57. Scorpaeniformes mail-cheeked fishes

F303. Dactylopteridae flying gurnards

F304. Scorpaenidae scorpionfishes or rockfishes

F305. Caracanthidae orbicular velvetfishes

F306. Aploactinidae velvetfishes

F307. Pataecidae Australian prowfishes

F308. Gnathanacanthidae red velvetfishes

F309. Congiopodidae racehorses or pigfishes or horsefishes

F310. Triglidae searobins or gurnards

F311. Peristediidae armored searobins

F312. Bembridae deepwater flatheads

F313. Platycephalidae flatheads

F314. Hoplichthyidae ghost flatheads

F315. Anoplopomatidae sablefishes

F316. Hexagrammidae greenlings

F317. Normanichthyidae normanichthyids

F318. Rhamphocottidae grunt sculpins

F319. Ereuniidae deepwater sculpins

F320. Cottidae sculpins

F321. Comephoridae Baikal oilfishes

F322. Abyssocottidae deepwater Baikal sculpins

F323. Hemitripteridae searavens

F324. Agonidae poachers

F325. Psychrolutidae fathead sculpins

F326. Bathylutichthyidae Antarctic sculpins

F327. Cyclopteridae lumpfishes or lumpsuckers

F328. Liparidae snailfishes

Order 58. Perciformes perches

F329. Centropomidae snooks

F330. Ambassidae Asiatic glassfishes

F331. Latidae lates

F332. Moronidae temperate basses

F333. Percichthyidae temperate perches

F334. Perciliidae southern basses

F335. Acropomatidae lanternbellies

F336. Symphysanodontidae slopefishes

F337. Polyprionidae wreckfishes

F338. Serranidae sea basses

F339. Centrogeniidae false scorpionfishes

F340. Ostracoberycidae ostracoberycids

F341. Callanthiidae groppos

F342. Pseudochromidae dottybacks

F343. Grammatidae basslets

F344. Plesiopidae roundheads

F345. Notograptidae bearded eelblennies

F346. Opisthognathidae jawfishes

F347. Dinopercidae cavebasses

F348. Banjosidae banjofishes

F349. Centrarchidae sunfishes

F350. Percidae perches

F351. Priacanthidae bigeyes or catalufas

F352. Apogonidae cardinalfishes

F353. Epigonidae deepwater cardinalfishes

F354. Sillaginidae sillagos or whitings or smelt-whitings

F355. Malacanthidae tilefishes

F356. Lactariidae false trevallies

F357. Dinolestidae long-finned pikes

F358. Scombropidae gnomefishes

F359. Pomatomidae bluefishes

F360. Nematistiidae roosterfishes

F361. Coryphaenidae dolphinfishes

F362. Rachycentridae cobias

F363. Echeneididae remoras or sharksuckers

F364. Carangidae jacks and pompanos

F365. Menidae moonfishes

F366. Leiognathidae ponyfishes, slimys or slipmouths

F367. Bramidae pomfrets

F368. Caristiidae manefishes

F369. Emmelichthyidae rovers

F370. Lutjanidae snappers

F371. Caesionidae fusiliers

F372. Lobotidae tripletails

F373. Gerreidae mojarras

F374. Haemulidae grunts

F375. Inermiidae bonnetmouths

F376. Nemipteridae threadfin breams

F377. Lethrinidae emperors or emperor breams

F378. Sparidae porgies

F379. Centracanthidae picarel porgies

F380. Polynemidae threadfins

F381. Sciaenidae drums or croakers

F382. Mullidae goatfishes

F383. Pempherididae sweepers

F384. Glaucosomatidae pearl perches

F385. Leptobramidae beachsalmon

F386. Bathyclupeidae bathyclupeids

F387. Monodactylidae moonfishes or fingerfishes

F388. Toxotidae archerfishes

F389. Arripidae Australian salmon or kahawai

F390. Dichistiidae galjoen fishes

F391. Kyphosidae sea chubs

F392. Drepanidae sicklefishes

F393. Chaetodontidae butterflyfishes

F394. Pomacanthidae angelfishes

F395. Enoplosidae oldwives

F396. Pentacerotidae armorheads

F397. Nandidae Asian leaffishes

F398. Polycentridae Afro-American leaffishes

F399. Terapontidae grunters or tigerperches

F400. Kuhliidae flagtails

F401. Oplegnathidae knifejaws

F402. Cirrhitidae hawkfishes

F403. Chironemidae kelpfishes

F404. Aplodactylidae marblefishes

F405. Cheilodactylidae morwongs

F406. Latridae trumpeters

F407. Cepolidae bandfishes

F408. Elassomatidae pygmy sunfishes

F409. Cichlidae cichlids

F410. Embiotocidae surfperches

F411. Pomacentridae damselfishes

F412. Labridae wrasses

F413. Odacidae cales

F414. Scaridae parrotfishes

F415. Bathymasteridae ronquils

F416. Zoarcidae eelpouts

F417. Stichaeidae pricklebacks

F418. Cryptacanthodidae wrymouths

F419. Pholidae gunnels

F420. Anarhichadidae wolffishes

F421. Ptilichthyidae quillfishes

F422. Zaproridae prowfishes

F423. Scytalinidae graveldivers

F424. Bovichthyidae temperate icefishes

F425. Pseudaphritidae catadromous icefishes

F426. Eleginopidae Patagonian blennies

F427. Nototheniidae cod icefishes

F428. Harpagiferidae spiny plunderfishes

F429. Artedidraconidae barbeled plunderfishes

F430. Bathydraconidae Antarctic dragonfishes

F431. Channichthyidae crocodile icefishes

F432. Chiasmodontidae swallowers

F433. Champsodontidae gapers

F434. Trichodontidae sandfishes

F435. Pinguipedidae sandperches

F436. Cheimarrhichthyidae New Zealand torrentfishes

F437. Trichonotidae sanddivers

F438. Creediidae sandburrowers

F439. Percophidae duckbills

F440. Leptoscopidae southern sandfishes

F441. Ammodytidae sand lances

F442. Trachinidae weeverfishes

F443. Uranoscopidae stargazers

F444. Pholidichthyidae convict blenny

F445. Tripterygiidae triplefin blennies

F446. Dactyloscopidae sand stargazers

F447. Blenniidae combtooth blennies

F448. Clinidae kelp blennies

F449. Labrisomidae labrisomid blennies

F450. Chaenopsidae tube blennies

F451. Icosteidae ragfishes

F452. Gobiesocidae clingfishes

F453. Callionymidae dragonets

F454. Draconettidae slope draconets

F455. Rhyacichthyidae loach gobies

F456. Odontobutidae freshwater sleepers

F457. Eleotridae sleepers

F458. Xenisthmidae xenisthmids

F459. Kraemeriidae sandfishes or sand gobies

F460. Gobiidae gobies

F461. Microdesmidae wormfishes

F462. Ptereleotridae dartfishes

F463. Schindleriidae infantfishes

F464. Kurtidae nurseryfishes

F465. Ephippidae spadefishes

F466. Scatophagidae scats

F467. Siganidae rabbitfishes

F468. Luvaridae louvar

F469. Zanclidae Moorish Idols

F470. Acanthuridae surgeonfishes

F471. Scombrolabracidae longfin escolars

F472. Sphyraenidae barracudas

F473. Gempylidae snake mackerels

F474. Trichiuridae cutlassfishes

F475. Scombridae mackerels and tunas

F476. Xiphiidae swordfishes

F477. Istiophoridae billfishes

F478. Amarsipidae amarsipas

F479. Centrolophidae medusafishes

F480. Nomeidae driftfishes

F481. Ariommatidae ariommatids

F482. Tetragonuridae squaretails

F483. Stromateidae butterfishes

F484. Anabantidae climbing gouramies

F485. Helostomatidae kissing gourami

F486. Osphronemidae gouramies

F487. Channidae snakeheads

F488. Caproidae boarfishes

Order 59. Pleuronectiformes flatfishes

F489. Psettodidae spiny turbots

F490. Citharidae largescale flounders

F491. Scophthalmidae turbots

F492. Paralichthyidae sand flounders

F493. Pleuronectidae righteye flounders

F494. Bothidae lefteye flounders

F495. Paralichthodidae measles flounders

F496. Poecilopsettidae bigeye flounders

F497. Rhombosoleidae rhombosoleids

F498. Achiropsettidae southern flounders

F499. Samaridae crested flounders

F500. Achiridae American soles

F501. Soleidae soles

F502. Cynoglossidae tonguefishes

Order 60. Tetraodontiformes plectognaths

F503. Triacanthodidae spikefishes

F504. Triacanthidae triplespines

F505. Balistidae triggerfishes

F506. Monacanthidae filefishes

F507. Ostraciidae boxfishes, cowfishes and trunkfishes

F508. Triodontidae threetooth puffers

F509. Tetraodontidae puffers

F510. Diodontidae porcupinefishes or burrfishes

F511. Molidae molas

Class 7. Sarcopterygii lobe-finned fishes

Order 61. Coelacanthiformes coelacanths

F512. Latimeriidae gombessas or

coelacanths

Order 62. Ceratodontiformes living lungfishes

F513. Ceratodontidae Australian lungfishes

F514. Lepidosirenidae South American

lungfishes

F515. Protopteridae African Lungfishes