An order of neoteleost fishes which is probably the sister group to all other neoteleosts (that is, Ateleopodomorpha, Cyclosquamata, Scopelomorpha, Lampriomorpha, Polymixiomorpha, Paracanthopterygii, and Acanthopterygii). The following characters serve to distinguish the Stomiiformes: body form long and slender to very deep, and moderately to extremely compressed; luminescent organs (photophores) present below axis of body; chin barbel present in some; premaxilla and maxilla toothed and in gape of mouth; gape extending well past eye in most species; scales, if present, cycloid and easily lost; pectoral, dorsal, or adipose fins absent in some; ventral adipose fin (in front of anal fin) present in some; 4 to 9 pelvic fin rays; 5 to 24 branchiostegal rays; and color usually dark brown or black, silvery in some.