The various fish groups account for more than half of vertebrate species. There are almost 28,000 known extant species, of which almost 27,000 are bony fish, with 970 sharks, rays, and chimeras and about 108 hagfish and lampreys. A third of these species fall within the nine largest families; from largest to smallest, these families are Cyprinidae, Gobiidae, Cichlidae, Characidae, Loricariidae, Balitoridae, Serranidae, Labridae, and Scorpaenidae. About 64 families are monotypic, containing only one species. The final total of extant species may grow to exceed 32,500.  The diversity of living fish (finfish) is unevenly distributed among the various groups, with teleosts making up the bulk of living fishes  , and over 50\% of all vertebrate species. The following cladogram shows the evolutionary relationships of living fishes with their diversity. Diversity of various groups of fish (and other vertebrates) through time Lungfish are the closest living relatives of tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates) The bowfin Amia calva is the sole survivor of the halecomorph clade
The various fish groups account for more than half of vertebrate species. As of 2006, there are almost 28,000 known extant species, of which almost 27,000 are bony fish, with 970 sharks, rays, and chimeras and about 108 hagfish and lampreys. A third of these species fall within the nine largest families; from largest to smallest, these families are Cyprinidae, Gobiidae, Cichlidae, Characidae, Loricariidae, Balitoridae, Serranidae, Labridae, and Scorpaenidae. About 64 families are monotypic, containing only one species. The final total of extant species may grow to exceed 32,500. Each year, new species are discovered and scientifically described. As of 2016, there are over 32'000 documented species of bony fish and over 1'100 species of cartilaginous fish. Species are lost through extinction (see biodiversity crisis). Recent examples are the Chinese paddlefish or the smooth handfish. The diversity of living fish (finfish) is unevenly distributed among the various groups, with teleosts making up the bulk of living fishes (96\%) , and over 50\% of all vertebrate species. The following cladogram shows the evolutionary relationships of living fishes with their diversity. Diversity of various groups of fish (and other vertebrates) through time Lungfish are the closest living relatives of tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates) The bowfin Amia calva is the sole survivor of the halecomorph clade
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There
As of 2006, there
A
Each year, new species are discovered and scientifically described. As of 2016, there are over 32'000 documented species of bony fish and over 1'100 species of cartilaginous fish. Species are lost through extinction (see biodiversity crisis). Recent examples are the Chinese paddlefish or the smooth handfish.
A
(96\%)