Osmeriformes

order of fishes

The Osmeriformes /ɒsˈmɛrɪfɔːrmiːz/ are an order of ray-finned fish. It includes the true or freshwater smelts and allies, such as the galaxiids and noodlefishes; they are also called osmeriforms. They belong to the teleost superorder Protacanthopterygii, which also includes pike and salmon etc.

Osmeriformes
Delta smelt, Hypomesus transpacificus
(Osmeroidei: Osmeridae)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Superorder: Osmeromorpha
Order: Osmeriformes
Type species
Osmerus eperlanus
Suborders

Naming

change

The order's name means "smelt-shaped", from Osmerus (the type genus) + the standard fish order suffix "-formes".

It derives from Ancient Greek osmé (ὀσμή, "pungent smell") + Latin forma ("external form"), the former in reference to the characteristic aroma of the flesh of Osmerus.