Osmeriformes
| Osmeriformes | |
|---|---|
| |
| Delta smelt, Hypomesus transpacificus (Osmeroidei: Osmeridae) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Superorder: | Osmeromorpha |
| Order: | Osmeriformes |
| Type species | |
| Osmerus eperlanus | |
| Suborders | |
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.
Naming
[change | change source]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.
