Editing Cypriniformes (section)

==Description==

Like other orders of the [[Ostariophysi]], fishes of Cypriniformes possess a [[Weberian apparatus]]. They differ from most of their relatives in having only a [[dorsal fin]] on their backs; most other fishes of Ostariophysi have a small, fleshy [[adipose fin]] behind the dorsal fin. Other differences are the Cypriniformes' unique [[kinethmoid]], a small median bone in the snout, and the lack of teeth in the mouth. Instead, they have [[convergent evolution|convergent]] structures called [[pharyngeal teeth]] in the throat. While other groups of fish, such as [[cichlid]]s, also possess pharyngeal teeth, the cypriniformes' teeth grind against a chewing pad on the base of the skull, rather than an upper pharyngeal jaw.<ref name=Nelson />

[[File:Steinbeisser 001.jpg|thumb|left|A true loach - the [[spined loach]], ''Cobitis taenia'']]
The most notable family placed here is the [[Cyprinidae]] ([[carp]]s and [[minnow]]s), which make up two-thirds of the order's diversity. This is one of the largest families of fish, and is widely distributed across [[Africa]], [[Eurasia]], and [[North America]]. Most species are strictly freshwater inhabitants, but some are found in [[brackish]] water, such as [[common roach|roach]] and [[Carp bream|bream]]. At least one species is found in saltwater, the Pacific redfin, ''[[Tribolodon brandtii]]''.<ref>Orlov & Sa-a {2007]</ref> Brackish water and marine cyprinids are invariably [[anadromous]],{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}} swimming upstream into rivers to spawn.  Sometimes separated as family [[Psilorhynchus|Psilorhynchidae]], they seem to be specially adapted fishes of the Cyprinidae.<ref>FishBase (2004d,f), He ''et al.'' (2008)</ref>

The [[Balitoridae]] and [[Gyrinocheilidae]] are families of mountain-stream fishes feeding on [[alga]]e and small [[invertebrate]]s. They are found only in [[tropical]] and [[subtropical]] [[Asia]]. While the former are a speciose group, the latter contain only a handful of [[species]].<ref>FishBase (2004a,e)</ref> The suckers ([[Catostomidae]]) are found in [[temperate]] [[North America]] and eastern Asia.{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}} These large fishes are similar to carps in appearance and ecology. Members of the [[Cobitidae]] are common across [[Eurasia]] and parts of [[North Africa]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}} A midsized group like the suckers,<ref>FishBase (2004b,c)</ref> they are rather similar to catfish in appearance and behaviour, feeding primarily off the substrate and equipped with barbels to help them locate food at night or in murky conditions. Fishes in the families Cobitidae, Balitoridae, Botiidae, and Gyrinocheilidae are called loaches, although the last do not seem to belong to the lineage of "true" loaches, but are related to the suckers.<ref name = heetal2008>He ''et al.'' (2008)</ref>