Beloniformes

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iBeloniforms
Exocoetus volitans
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Beloniformes
Families
Suborder Adrianichthyoidei Adrianichthyidae - ricefishes Suborder Belonoidei Superfamily Scomberesocoidea Belonidae - needlefishes Scomberesocidae - sauries Superfamily Exocoetoidea Exocoetidae - flyingfishes Hemiramphidae - halfbeaks

Beloniformes is an order of ray-finned fish most notable for the flyingfishes and medakas.

Originally, the two suborders Adrianichthyoidei and Belonoidei were part of the Cyprinidontiformes, but monophyly is indicated by various characteristics including the absence of the interhyal, resulting in the upper jaw being fixed or nonprotrusible.

[edit] Reference

• J.S. Nelson, Fishes of the World