Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

5.1.2 Order Cypriniformes

Kinethmoid present (a median bone between ascending processes of premaxillae); palatine articulating in a socket of the endopterygoid; fifth ceratobranchial (the pharyngeal bone) enlarged, with teeth ankylosed to the bone (bound by collagenous fibers to the bone in other ostariophysans with teeth, pharyngeal teeth absent in gyrinocheilids); pharyngeal teeth opposed to enlarged posterior process of basioccipital bone rather than to upper pharyngeal elements, the basioccipital process against which the pharyngeal teeth press usually covered by a pad (tough horny pad in cyprinids, soft pad in catostomids); ascending process to premaxillae; upper jaw usually protractile; mouth (jaws and palate) always toothless; adipose fin absent (except in some cobitoids); head almost always scaleless; branchiostegal rays three; spinelike rays in dorsal fin of some species (Nelson 1994).

Five families, 279 genera, and about 2,662 species. The greatest diversity is in southeastern Asia. This taxon is absent from South America. These fishes are popular aquarium fishes, especially the minnows and loaches.