Order PERCIFORMES


Common name: Perches and allies
Summary:

The Perciformes is the largest and most diverse group of modern bony fishes, comprising about 40% of bony fishes. The order is difficult to define because members do not share a unique character or a unique combination of characters. Perciform fishes all share a number of characters and all lack a number of characters. Many species have a generalized perch-like body form.  All have the following characters: dorsal, anal and pelvic fins with fin spines; pelvic fins with one spine and up to 5 rays, usually positioned forward on the body; 17 or fewer principal caudal-fin rays that articulate with  up to five hypural bones; four gill arches; 7 or fewer branchiostegal rays and lack an adipose fin.

The evolutionary history and interrelationships of this group are poorly known, and the group may not be monophyletic.

Author: Dianne J. Bray & Martin F. Gomon

Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray & Martin F. Gomon, Perches and allies, PERCIFORMES in Fishes of Australia, accessed 19 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/order/34

Order References


Johnson, G.D. 1993. Percomorph phylogeny: progress and problems. Bulletin of Marine Science 52(1): 3–28

Johnson, G.D. & Patterson, C. 1993. Percomorph phylogeny: a survey of acanthomorphs and a new proposal. Bulletin of Marine Science 52(1): 554–626.

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 600 pp.

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.