An order of generalized fishes, including the salmons and trouts, characterized by soft or articulated fin rays; the presence (usually) of an adipose dorsal fin; cycloid scales (scales absent in few species); pelvic fins in the abdominal region and each with more than six rays and an associated axillary process (absent in Osmeridea); a pelvic girdle free from the pectoral girdle; a pectoral fin placed low on the side and more or less horizontal; an upper jaw usually bordered by premaxillae and maxillae; nonprotractile premaxillae; the presence (usually) of an orbitosphenoid bone as well as a mesocoracoid arch in the pectoral girdle; the absence of Weberian apparatus connecting the swim bladder with the inner ear; a physostomous (connected to the esophagus) air bladder; the larvae are not leptocephalous-like; and there are no luminescent organs.