Gadiformes

Gadiformes
Gadus morhua
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Gadiformes Goodrich, 1909
Families
Bathygadidae Jordan & Evermann, 1898 Bregmacerotidae Gill, 1872 Euclichthyidae Cohen, 1984 Gadidae Rafinesque, 1810 Lotidae Bonaparte, 1832 Macrouridae Bonaparte, 1831 Macrouroididae Smith & Radcliffe, 1912 Melanonidae Goode & Bean, 1896 Merlucciidae Gill, 1884 Moridae Moreau, 1881 Muraenolepididae Regan, 1903 Phycidae Swainson, 1838 Trachyrincidae Goode & Bean, 1896

Gadiformes are an order of ray-finned fish, also called the Anacanthini, that includes the cod and its allies. Many major food fish are in this order. They are found in marine waters throughout the world and the vast majority of the species are found in temperate or colder regions (tropical species are typically deep-water). A few species may enter estuaries but only one, the burbot (Lota lota), is a freshwater fish.

Common characteristics include the positioning of the pelvic fins (if present), below or in front of the pectoral fins. Gadiformes are physoclists, which means their gas bladders do not have a pneumatic duct. The fins are spineless. Gadiform fish range in size from the codlets, which may be as small as 7 cm (2.8 in) in adult length, to the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, which reaches up to 2 m (6.6 ft).

Timeline of genera