Taxon Description (Wikipedia)
The
Perciformes, also called the
Percomorphi or
Acanthopteri, is the largest order of vertebrates containing about 40% of all ray-finned fish and comprise over 7000 species found in almost all aquatic environments. They are also the most variably sized order of vertebrates, ranging from the 7mm
Schindleria brevipinguis to the 5m
Makaira species. They first appeared and diversified in the Late Cretaceous.
Among well-known members of this group are sunfish/bluegill, damselfish, and of course perch.
full article at Wikipedia
