To investigate the number of vertebrae from Cypriniformes including Cyprinidae, Cobitidae and Balitoridae in China and its correlation with phylogenetic constraint and ecological adaptation, the number of vertebrae, ribs and caudal vertebrae were compared by X-ray photographic method. A total of 157 currently recognized species were analyzed. The results showed that the number of vertebrae 30 to 52, with average of 39.5±4.4, ribs 8 to 28, with average of 15.3±3.1, caudal vertebrae 14 to 34, with average of 21.1±2.9. Based on the cluster results of vertebrae, ribs and caudal vertebrae in number, the 12 subfamilies of the Cyprinidae were divided into two types. The type Ⅰ included the Leuciscinae, Cultrinae, Xenocyprininae, and Schizothoracinae. The type Ⅱ included the Danioninae, Hypophthalmichthyinae, Gobioninae, Gobiobotinae, Acheilognathinae, Barbinae, Labeoninae, and Cyprininae. One-way ANOVA analysis of 89 species from the Cyprinidae showed that the ratio of ribs to vertebrae in carnivorous fish was significantly lower than that in phytophagous fish (P<0.05), although more vertebrae and caudal vertebrae were seen in carnivorous fish (P<0.05). The pelagic fish had less vertebrae and caudal vertebrae than demersal fish (P<0.05). Relative to large-sized fishes, small-sized fishes had less vertebraes and ribs; the ratio of ribs to vertebrae number was significantly lower (P<0.05). These findings suggested that the vertebrae number of the Cyprinidae closely correlated with ecological habits and body size.