The Gonorynchiformes are an order of ray-finned fish that includes the important food source, the milkfish (Chanos chanos, family Chanidae), and a number of lesser-known types, both marine and freshwater.
The alternate spelling "Gonorhynchiformes", with an "h", is frequently seen but not official.
Gonorynchiformes have small mouths and no teeth. They are the sole group in the clade Anotophysi, a subgroup of the superorder Ostariophysi. They are characterized by a primitive Weberian apparatus formed by the first three vertebrae and one or more cephalic ribs within the head. This apparatus is believed to be a hearing organ, and is found in a more advanced and complex form in the related cypriniform fish, such as carp. Also like the cypriniforms, the gonorynchiforms produce a substance from their skin when injured that dissolves into the water and acts an alarm signal to other fish.
Although many of the families are rather small, there are several fossil genera. This listing of the groups of Gonorynchiformes includes fossil fish with a short description. They are listed in approximate order of how primitive their characteristics are.
Order †Sorbininardiformes Taverne 1999
Family †Sorbininardidae Taverne 1999
Genus †Sorbininardus Taverne 1999
Order Gonorynchiformes Regan 1909Suborder Gonorynchoidei - beaked sandfishes
Family †Apulichthyidae Taverne 1997
Genus †Apulichthys Taverne 1997
Family Gonorynchidae Fowler 1941
†Anormurus de Blainville 1818
†Chanopsis Casier 1961
†Charitopsis Gayet 1993 non Trjapitzin 1969
†Gonorynchidarum otolith
†Hakeliosomus Gayet 1993
†Protocatostomus Whitfield 1891
†Ramallichthys Gayet 1982
Subfamily †Charitosominae
†Charitosomus Hosius & Von Der Marck 1885 - Cretaceous
Subfamily †Judeichthyinae
†Judeichthys Gayet 1985
Subfamily Gonorynchinae
†Notogoneus Cope 1885 - from North America, Europe, Australia; some freshwater; Late Cretaceous to Oligocene
Gonorynchus Gronow 1763 ex Scopoli 1777
Suborder Chanoidei Berg 1937
†Aethalinopsis Gaudant 1967 - Early Cretaceous.
Family Chanidae Günther 1868 (milkfishes)
Subfamily †Rubiesichthyinae Poyata-Ariza 1996
Genus †Gordichthys Poyata-Ariza 1994- Early Cretaceous Chanid
Genus †Nanaichthys Amaral & Brito 2012
Genus †Rubiesichthys Wenz 1984 - Early Cretaceous Chanid
Subfamily Chaninae
Genus Chanos Lacépède 1803
Genus †Dastilbe Jordan 1910 - Early Cretaceous Chanid
Genus †Parachanos Arambourg & Schneegans 1935 - Early Cretaceous Chanid
Genus †Tharrhias Jordan & Branner 1908 - Early Cretaceous Chanid
Suborder Knerioidei
Family Kneriidae Günther 1868
Genus †Mahengichthys Davis, Arratia & Kaiser 2013
Subfamily Phractolaeminae
Genus Phractolaemus Boulenger 1901 (Hingemouths/snake mudheads)
Subfamily Kneriinae (Shellears)
Tribe Cromeriini
Genus Cromeria Boulenger 1901
Genus Grasseichthys Géry 1964
Tribe Kneriini
Genus Kneria Steindachner 1866
Genus Parakneria Poll 1965