What is Perciformes?
{{Taxobox | name = Perciformes | image = YellowPerch.jpg | image_width = 220px | image_caption = [[Yellow perch]] (''Perca flavescens'') | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Actinopterygii]] | superordo = [[Acanthopterygii]] | ordo = '''Perciformes''' | subdivision_ranks = }} The '''Perciformes''' <ref>also called the '''Percomorphi''' or '''Acanthopteri'''</ref> is the largest [[order (biology)|order]] of [[vertebrata|vertebrates]]. They have about 40% of all [[bony fish]].<ref>Long, John A. 1995. ''The rise of fishes: 500 million years of evolution''. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.</ref><sup>p151</sup> ''Perciformes'' means ''[[perch]]-like''. They belong to the [[class (biology)|class]] of [[Actinopterygii|ray-finned fish]] and have over 7,000 [[species]] in almost all aquatic environments. They have the widest range of sizes of any order of vertebrates, ranging from the 7&nbsp;mm ''[[Schindleria brevipinguis]]'' to the 5 metre ''[[Makaira]]'' species. They first appeared and diversified in the Upper [[Cretaceous]]. Some well-known members of this group are [[angelfish]], [[barracuda]], [[Bass (fish)|bass]], [[blenny]], [[cichlid]]s, [[damselfish]], [[filefish]], [[goby]], [[grouper]], [[remora]], [[swordfish]], [[mackerel]], [[pufferfish]], [[tilefish]], [[tuna]], [[whiting]], and of course [[perch]]. ==Characteristics== [[File:Palaeoperca proxima.jpg|thumb|200px|''[[Palaeoperca]]'']] The [[dorsal]] and anal [[fin]]s are divided into front spiny and back soft-rayed portions, which may be partially or completely separated. The [[pelvic]] fins usually have one spine and up to five soft rays, positioned unusually far forward under the chin or under the belly. Scales are usually [[ctenoid]] (rough-edged). ==Taxonomy== They are grouped as in the text ''[[Fishes of the World]]''. The order is probably [[polyphyletic]], and changes may occur in this and other teleost orders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Search FishBase|url=https://www.fishbase.de/|access-date=2022-0