Zeiformes
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Zeiformes
| image = Mirror dory.png
| image_width = 150px
| image_caption = Mirror dory, family Zeidae
| regnum = Animalia
| phylum = Chordata
| classis = Actinopterygii
| ordo = Zeiformes
| subdivision_ranks = Families
| subdivision =
Suborder Zeioidei
Cyttidae
Grammicolepididae
Oreosomatidae (oreos)
Parazenidae (parazen and allies)
Zeidae (true dories)
Zenionidae (Macrurocyttidae)
Suborder Caproidei
Caproidae (boarfishes)
}}
The Zeiformes are a small order of marine ray-finned fishes most notable for the dories, a group of common food fish.
The order consists of about 40 species in seven families, mostly deep-sea types.
Zeiform bodies are usually thin and deep. Mouths are large, with distensible jaws, and there is no orbitosphenoid. Pelvic fins have 5-10 soft rays and possibly a spine, 5-10 dorsal fin spines and up to 4 anal fin spines.
The classification of the boarfishes (Caproidae) in this order is uncertain, since they have many perciform characters, for instance in the caudal skeleton.