Characin

Characiformes Temporal range: Early Cretaceous–Recent PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Hyphessobrycon bentosi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Superorder:	Ostariophysi
Order:	Characiformes Regan, 1911
Families
Acestrorhynchidae Alestidae Anostomidae Characidae Chilodontidae Citharinidae Crenuchidae Ctenoluciidae Curimatidae Cynodontidae Distichodontidae Erythrinidae Gasteropelecidae Hemiodontidae Hepsetidae Lebiasinidae Parodontidae Prochilodontidae Serrasalmidae Triporthidae Salminopsidae † Sorbinicharacidae †

Acestrorhynchidae
Alestidae
Anostomidae
Characidae
Chilodontidae
Citharinidae
Crenuchidae
Ctenoluciidae
Curimatidae
Cynodontidae
Distichodontidae
Erythrinidae
Gasteropelecidae
Hemiodontidae
Hepsetidae
Lebiasinidae
Parodontidae
Prochilodontidae
Serrasalmidae
Triporthidae
Salminopsidae †
Sorbinicharacidae †

Characiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, there are more than two thousand different species, including the well-known piranha and tetras.

Characiformes form part of a series called Otophysi within the superorder Ostariophysi. Otophysi contains three other orders, Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, and Gymnotiformes. Characiformes forms a group known as Characiphysi with Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes. Characiformes is the sister group to the orders Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes, though this has been debated in light of recent molecular evidence.