Centrarchiformes

Centrarchiformes /sɛnˈtrɑːrkɪfɔːrmiːz/ is an order of ray-finned fish, previously included amongst the perciformes, with 21 families. This order first appeared about 55.8 million years ago in the Eocene Era, and is composed primarily of omnivores. The order has a wide range that includes the continents of Australia and South America. Many Centrarchiformes look essentially perch-like, featuring a stocky build and a spine-bearing dorsal fin, and range in size from 2.5 cm in length (for Elassoma gilberti), to 1.8 meters for the Maccullochella peelii. The order Centrachiformes is not recognized in the 5th Edition (2016) of Fishes of the World, but is accepted on the World Register of Marine Species in November 2023.