Family

In biological taxonomy, family is the rank above genus and below order. For animals, family names end in -idae (e.g., Salmonidae, Cyprinidae, Gadidae). A family contains one or more genera sharing a common ancestry and fundamental body plan. Families are the taxonomic level most commonly recognised by non-specialists: "a member of the salmon family." Family is also the most commonly used level for fish identification guides. FishBase currently recognises approximately 550 families of fishes.

The family Salmonidae includes Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon, trout, char, grayling, and whitefish — sharing a common body plan including the adipose fin.