Stiassnyiformes

Stiassnyiformes is an order of bony fish (Teleostei) proposed in 2009.^[1] It includes the mullets (Mugilidae), the Atheriniformes, the Beloniformes, the Cyprinodontiformes and some families of the paraphyletic Perciformes, including the cichlids. The new taxon was named by the authors of the first description in honor of the curator of the Department of Ichthyology at the American Museum of Natural History Melanie Stiassny,^[2] which suggested in 1993 that the mullet are allied with damselfish and guppies.^[3]

Stiassnyiformes
Orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Superorder:	Acanthopterygii
Order:	Stiassnyiformes

The close relationship of these outwardly different groups is based on molecular studies and is not supported by morphological characteristics.

Stiassnyiformes	Mugilidae Plesiopidae, Dottybacks and allies Gobiesocidae Blennioidei Cichlidae Pomacentridae Embiotocidae Cyprinodontiformes Cyprinodontiformes Beloniformes

The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the families which make up the Stiassnyiformes within the subseries Ovalentaria.^[4]