The order of teleost fishes collectively called dories. The order has representatives in all seas of the world from the tropics to Antarctica; however, they are most common in tropical and temperate zones, in waters of moderate depth to at least 1800 m. Most species are mesopelagic or bathypelagic. Structurally intermediary to the beryciform and the perciform fishes, zeiforms are characterized by a body varying from moderately elongate to very deep and compressed; jaws usually greatly protractile; colors predominantly silvery or silver gray; absence of an orbitosphenoid bone; a simple posttemporal bone rigidly united to the skull; a pelvic fin each with one spine or none and from two to ten soft rays; a first dorsal fin with five to ten spines, usually strong; and an anal fin with one to four spines. Most species are of small size and of minor economic importance.