Myctophiformes is an order of ray-finned fish consisting of two families of deep-sea marine fish, most notably the highly abundant lanternfishes (Myctophidae). The blackchins (Neoscopelidae) contain a handful of species in three genera, while the bulk of the family belongs to the Myctophidae, with over 30 genera and almost 250 species. The scientific name means "Ateleopus-shaped", from Ateleopus + the standard fish order suffix "-formes".