Both subfamilies were previously included in the family Characidae, and were placed in a separate family by Buckup, 1998. Buckup, 1993, revised all genera, except Characidium.
The classification of these subfamilies underwent significant changes, with both being previously part of a larger family (Characidae) before being reclassified into separate families by Buckup in 1998. However, Buckup's earlier revision in 1993 only affected most genera, except for Characidium.