Tetraodontiformes is an
order of highly derived
ray-finned fish, also called
Plectognathi. Sometimes these are classified as a
suborder of the order
Perciformes. The Tetraodontiformes are represented by 10
families and at least 349
species overall; most are marine and dwell in and around tropical
coral reefs, but a few species are found in freshwater streams and
estuaries. They have no close relatives, and descend from a line of
coral-dwelling species that emerged around 40 million years ago.