Editing Characiformes (section)

==Description==
Characins possess a [[Weberian apparatus]], a series of [[bone|bony]] parts connecting the [[swim bladder]] and [[inner ear]].<ref name=nelson/> Superficially, the Characiformes somewhat resemble their relatives of the order [[Cypriniformes]], but have a small, fleshy [[Fish anatomy#Fins|adipose fin]] between the [[dorsal fin]] and [[tail]]. Most species have teeth within the mouth, since they are often [[carnivorous]]. The body is almost always covered in well-defined scales. The mouth is also usually not truly protractile.<ref name=fishbase>{{FishBase order | order = Characiformes | year = 2014|month=February}}</ref>

The largest characins are ''[[Hydrocynus goliath]]'' and ''[[Salminus franciscanus]]'' and ''[[Hoplias aimara]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fishing-worldrecords.com/scientificname/Salminus%20franciscanus/show|title=Fishing Worldrecords-characins-salminus franciscanus}}</ref> both of which are up to {{convert|1.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The smallest in size is about {{convert|1.7|cm|in|abbr=on}} in the Bolivian pygmy blue characin, ''[[Xenurobrycon polyancistrus]]''.<ref name=EoF>{{cite book |editor=Paxton, J.R. |editor2=Eschmeyer, W.N.|author1=Weitzman, S.H.  |author2=Vari, R.P.|year=1998|title=Encyclopedia of Fishes|publisher= Academic Press|location=San Diego|pages= 101–105|isbn= 0-12-547665-5}}</ref> Many members are under {{convert|3|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=nelson/>