Percoidei is a suborder of bony fishes in the order Perciformes. Many commercially harvested fish species are considered to be contained in this suborder, including the groupers, seabasses and perches.

Divisions

The following classification is based on Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes:

The species in the family Grammistidae and the liopropomatid subfamily Diploprioninae secrete a mucus-like toxin in their skin called grammistin, and when they are confined in a restricted space and subjected to stress, the mucus produces a foam that is toxic to nearby fish. These fishes are often called soapfishes.

Former classification

Until recently, the Percoidei had a much more expanded treatment containing many different morphologically similar families. However, such a treatment is now known to be polyphyletic.