Contains 300-400 species. Divided into viviparous Bythitoidei and oviparous Ophidioidei. Larvae of former poorly known, those of latter group (Ophidiidae and Carapidae) well known, commonly found in plankton samples in tropical oceans (Gordon et al., 1984).
Families treated:
Family Carapidae (pearlfishes)
Family Ophidiidae (cuskeels)
Table Ophidiiformes
22 geographic zones