Ophidiiformes

noun

Pelvic fins when present, inserted at level of preopercle or farther anterior (mental or jugular), zero to two soft rays in each, and occasionally with a spine; base of dorsal and anal fins long, extending to and usually joined with caudal fin; nostrils paired on each side; dorsal and anal fin pterygiophores more numerous than adjacent vertebrae (the ratio being about 1.8:1).

The Order Ophidiiformes belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes). It contains 5 Families. The Order is most closely related to the Order Gadiformes; these Orders shared a common ancestor 20 million years ago. Members of this Order have been dated back to the middle Miocene epoch of the Tertiary period. Etymology of this Order name: Greek, ophis = serpent + Latin, forma = shape.