Centrarchiformes /sɛnˈtrɑːrkɪfɔːrmiːz/ is an order of ray-finned fish, previously included amongst the perciformes, with 21 families.[1] This order first appeared about 55.8 million years ago in the Eocene Era, and is composed primarily of omnivores. The order has a wide range that includes the continents of Australia and South America.[2][3] Many Centrarchiformes look essentially perch-like, featuring a stocky build and a spine-bearing dorsal fin, and range in size from 2.5 cm in length (for Elassoma gilberti), to 1.8 meters for the Maccullochella peelii.[4] The order Centrachiformes is not recognized in the 5th Edition (2016) of Fishes of the World,[5] but is accepted on the World Register of Marine Species in November 2023.[1]