The Osteoglossomorpha are a teleostean superorder defined by Greenwood, Rosen, Weitzman, and Myers in 1966. They are interesting to both ichthyologists and paleontologists because of their anatomy, physiology, geographic distribution, and ancient fossil record. Various osteoglossomorphs display unusual specializations of anatomy, such as elongate anal and dorsal fins and peculiarities of the jaws related to feeding, and of physiology and behaviour, such as generation of electric fields.
Several species are also popular in the aquarium trade.
Since 1970 numerous fossil genera from all major continents except Antarctica have been added to the list of potential extinct osteoglossomorphs. Primary bite between parasphenoid and tongue. Absence of supramaxillary bone. Absence of supraorbital bone. Fusion of fourth and fifth infraorbital bones.