Toothcarps (Cyprinodontiformes)
General data
- Main name: Toothcarps
Classification
- Class: Teleostei - Ray-finned fishes
- Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Description
Cyprinodontiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, comprising mostly small, freshwater fishes. Many popular aquarium fish, such as killifish and live-bearers, are included. They are closely related to the Atheriniformes and are occasionally included with them. A colloquial term for the order as a whole is toothcarps, though they are not actually close relatives of the true carps – the latter belong to the superorder Ostariophysi, while the toothcarps are Acanthopterygii. The families of Cyprinodontiformes can be informally divided into three groups based on reproductive strategy:
- viviparous
- ovoviviparous (all species give live birth),
- oviparous (all species are egg-laying).