骨舌总目的鱼舌具有舌骨，舌上有齿或无齿。长颌鱼目的鱼具有发电器官。骨舌总目是一种原始种类，在形态学方面变化很大，大约有150种。骨舌总目的鱼生活在北美洲以及南美洲、东南亚、非洲和澳大利亚的热带河流和湖泊中，也曾经有一些种生活在海里，但是现在这些种均灭绝了。

The Osteoglossomorpha are a group of bony fish in the Teleostei.

A notable member is the arapaima (Arapaima gigas), the largest freshwater fish in South America and one of the largest bony fishes alive. Other notable members include the bizarre freshwater elephantfishes of family Mormyridae, and the extinct predator, Xiphactinus.