Elopomorpha

fish superorder

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July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The Elopomorpha is a superorder of ray-finned fishes that includes some of the most primitive bony fishes. This group is characterized by its unique larval stage, known as a leptocephalus, which is ribbonlike and translucent.1

The superorder Elopomorpha is comprised of four living orders:
* Elopiformes: This order includes ladyfishes (Elops) and tarpons (Megalops), which are found in marine and brackish waters. Tarpons can grow up to 2.5 meters (about 8 feet) long and are prized game fish, with the Pacific tarpon being of economic importance for food in Southeast Asia.1
* Anguilliformes: This order encompasses all eels.
* Saccopharyngiformes: This order includes bobtail eels, swallowers, and gulpers.1
* Albuliformes: This order includes bonefish.1

Elopiforms have an extensive fossil record, with more fossil species than currently living ones, dating back to the Jurassic Period.1

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Annotated classification
Superorder Elopomorpha A diverse group including very primitive fishes and specialized fishes such as eels and therefore difficult to define. Some primitive members with a gular plate (absent in eels), ethmoid commissure present in some forms in a dermal rostral bone (absent in many eels); a…
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Superorder Elopomorpha A diverse group including very primitive fishes and specialized fishes such as eels and therefore difficult to define. Some primitive members with a gular plate (absent in eels), ethmoid commissure present in some forms in a dermal rostral bone (absent in many eels); a…
Read More