They are noted for their long narrow snouts used to catch fish, similar to the gharial.

Previously assigned extinct species known from fossils are reclassified as different genera such as Eogavialis, Toyotamaphimeia and Sutekhsuchus.

[5] However, although more morphologically similar to Crocodylidae based on skeletal features, recent molecular studies using DNA sequencing consistently indicate that the false gharial and by inference other related extinct forms traditionally viewed as belonging to the crocodylian subfamily Tomistominae actually belong to Gavialoidea and Gavialidae.

[6][7][8] Fossils of extinct Tomistoma species have been found in deposits of Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary ages in Uganda, Italy, Portugal, Egypt and India, but nearly all of them are likely to be distinct genera due to older age compared to the false gharial.

[9] The below cladogram of the major living crocodile groups is based on molecular studies and shows the false gharial's close relationships:[10][11][6][7][8] Caiman Melanosuchus Paleosuchus Alligator Crocodylus Mecistops Osteolaemus Gavialis Tomistoma Here is a more detailed cladogram from a 2018 tip dating study by Lee & Yates simultaneously using morphological, molecular (DNA sequencing), and stratigraphic (fossil age) data that shows the false gharial's proposed placement within Gavialidae, including extinct members:[7] Gavialis gangeticus Gharial Gavialis bengawanicus† Gavialis browni† Gryposuchus colombianus† Ikanogavialis† Gryposuchus pachakamue† Piscogavialis† Harpacochampsa† Toyotamaphimeia† Penghusuchus† Gavialosuchus† Tomistoma lusitanicum† Tomistoma schlegelii False gharial Tomistoma cairense† Dollosuchoides† Maroccosuchus† Paratomistoma† Kentisuchus†