Taxonomy of Finfish

3.2.2.4 Subclass Actinopterygii

The subclass, Actinopterygii, ray finned fishes contain most of the bony fishes. This is divided into three infraclasses namely, Chondrostei, Holostei and Teleostei.

Chondrostei

Ganoid scales and a spiracle are present; heterocercal tail and interoperculum are absent, 25 species are represented in this group.

Holostei

Two families namely, Lepisosteidae (gars) and Amiidae (bow fishes) are included in this group. This infraclass includes two genera and 9 species.

Teleostei

Teleostei are the most diversified group of all vertebrates. This group includes about 18000 species placed in 31 orders, 455 families and 3869 genera (Nelson, 1976).