What is "cypriniformes"

Cypriniformes \Cypriniformes\ n. an order of fishes including almost entirely freshwater fishes: characins; loaches; carp; suckers; sometimes classified as Cyprinoidea, a suborder of Ostariophysi.

Syn: order Cypriniformes.

Cypriniformes is an order of ray-finned fish, including the carps, minnows, loaches and relatives. This order contains 11-12 families, over 400 genera, and more than 4,250 species, with new species being described every few months or so, and new genera being recognized frequently. They are most diverse in southeastern Asia, but are entirely absent from Australia and South America.

Their closest living relatives are the Characiformes ( characins and allies), the Gymnotiformes ( electric eel and American knifefishes) and the Siluriformes (catfishes).