Cartilaginous Fish | Chondrichthyes

Chondrichthyes refers to a class of fish or vertebrates that feature paired fins and an internal skeleton composed of cartilage. Noticeable characteristics of cartilaginous fish include the capability of numerous species to breathe through gills and spiracles, skin dressed in dermal denticles to give protection, a small brain with several sensory organs, and an adaptive immune system. Additionally, these fish lack swim bladders, are often predatory, and show jaws and paired appendages. They are likewise an excellent source of food for humans. Chondrichthyes are further divided into Elasmobranchii and Holocephali and can be found both in freshwater and marine environments.

How are cartilaginous fish different from bony fish?

Cartilaginous fish are different from bony fish through their skeletons that are made of mostly cartilage as opposed to bony fish which have skeletons composed mostly of bone. Both cartilaginous and bony fish fall under different types of taxonomic groups. Cartilaginous fish are part of the Chondrichthyes while bony fish are of the Osteichthyes class.

How do cartilaginous fish maintain buoyancy?

Cartilaginous fish maintain their buoyancy through their liver which is filled with oil. The oil within their liver helps cartilaginous fish lighten their body to keep it from sinking downwards into the body of water, while also helping the fish save energy to keep moving and direct themselves.

Do cartilaginous fish have jaws?

Cartilaginous fish have movable jaws that are equipped with fully developed teeth. The mouth of cartilaginous fish is typically located under their head. Cartilaginous fish only have one set of oral jaws that are made of cartilage. The jaws of cartilaginous fish are articulated and opposed vertically.

Cartilaginous Fish Guides
Browse through our curated Cartilaginous Fish Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Cartilaginous Fish. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.

Cartilaginous Fish

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34”-47” | 86-119 cm
5.92’-7.83’ | 1.8-2.39 m
70-180 lb | 32-82 kg
25-35 years
Angel Shark
119.000
239.000
82.000
35.00
21200
GUIDE
3D
Angel Shark
12”-18” | 30.5-46 cm
11.4”-17.7” | 29-45 cm (Disc)
6.6-13.2 lb | 3-6 kg
8-10 years
Atlantic Stingray
46.000
45.000
6.000
10.00
1705
GUIDE
3D
Atlantic Stingray
26”-49” | 66-125 cm
6.6-8.8 lb | 3-4 kg
10-15 years
Australian Ghost Shark
125.000
4.000
15.00
550
GUIDE
3D
Australian Ghost Shark
2”-2.4” | 5-6 cm
31”-34” | 79-86 cm
10-19 lb | 4.5-9 kg
9-15 years
Bahamas Sawshark
6.000
86.000
9.000
15.00
150
GUIDE
3D
Bahamas Sawshark
22’-35’ | 6.7-10.7 m
8800-13200 lb | 4000-6000 kg
Up to 50 years
Basking Shark
1070.000
6000.000
50.00
57000
GUIDE
3D
Basking Shark
7.5”-11.4” | 19-29 cm
4.92’-8’ | 1.5-2.44 m
150-270 lb | 68-122 kg
12-16 years
Blacktip Shark
29.000
244.000
122.000
16.00
19200
GUIDE
3D
Blacktip Shark
8.5’-13’ | 2.6-4 m
120-400 lb | 54-181 kg
15-20 years
Blue Shark
400.000
181.000
20.00
16000
GUIDE
3D
Blue Shark
12.2”-25.2” | 31-64 cm
5’-10’ | 1.52-3.05 m
300-440 lb | 136-200 kg
15-25 years
Bramble Shark
64.000
305.000
200.000
25.00
1850
GUIDE
3D
Bramble Shark
7’-11.5” | 2.1-3.5 m
400-700 lb | 181-318 kg
12-25 years
Bull Shark
350.000
318.000
25.00
56000
GUIDE
3D
Bull Shark
13”-21” | 33-53 cm
19.3”-30.3” | 49-77 cm
30-40 lb | 13.6-18 kg
5-8 years
Clearnose Skate
53.000
77.000
18.000
8.00
1940
GUIDE
3D
Clearnose Skate
10.2”-18.1” | 26-46 cm
16”-28” | 41-71 cm
13.2-28.7 lb | 6-13 kg
16-24 years
Coffin Ray
46.000
71.000
13.000
24.00
2800
GUIDE
3D
Coffin Ray
24”-33” | 61-84 cm
14.6”-20.5” | 37-52 cm (Disc)
11-32 lb | 5-14.5 kg
15-20 years
Common Eagle Ray
84.000
52.000
14.500
20.00
25500
GUIDE
3D
Common Eagle Ray
9.8”-22” | 25-56 cm
30”-64” | 76-163 cm
55-65 lb | 25-29.5 kg
16-24 years
Common Guitarfish
56.000
163.000
29.500
24.00
7310
GUIDE
3D
Common Guitarfish
4.9’-6.6’ | 1.5-2 m
6.6’-9.4’ | 2-2.85 m (Total)
220-330 lb | 100-150 kg
50-55 years
Common Skate
200.000
285.000
150.000
55.00
1600
GUIDE
3D
Common Skate
18”-55” | 46-140 cm
14.6”-44.5” | 37-113 cm (Disc)
31-70.5 lb | 14-32 kg
15-21 years
Common Stingray
140.000
113.000
32.000
21.00
357700
GUIDE
3D
Common Stingray
7.9”-16.1” | 20-41 cm
12”-24” | 30.5-61 cm
11-22 lb | 5-10 kg
10-15 years
Common Torpedo
41.000
61.000
10.000
15.00
550
GUIDE
3D
Common Torpedo
30”-45” | 76-114 cm
18.9”-28.3” | 48-72 cm (Disc)
26.5-50.7 lb | 12-23 kg
13-18 years
Cownose Ray
114.000
72.000
23.000
18.00
12200
GUIDE
3D
Cownose Ray
9’-17’ | 2.74-5.18 m
5.3’-10.17’ | 1.61-3.10 m
661-794 lb | 300-360 kg
15-20 years
Devil Fish
518.000
310.000
360.000
20.00
19500
GUIDE
3D
Devil Fish
1.8”-3” | 4.5-7.5 cm
4’-6.67’ | 1.22-2.03 m
200-300 lb | 91-136 kg
20-25 years
Frilled Shark
7.500
203.000
136.000
25.00
121100
GUIDE
3D
Frilled Shark
6.25’-8’ | 1.91-2.44 m
6.6’-8.5’ | 2-2.6 m (Disc)
794-1,323 lb | 360-600 kg
5-10 years
Giant Freshwater Stingray
244.000
260.000
600.000
10.00
2620
GUIDE
3D
Giant Freshwater Stingray
33.3”-40.6” | 77-103 cm
6.75’-8.83’ | 2.06-2.69 m
275-507 lb | 125-230 kg
16-20 years
Giant Guitarfish
103.000
269.000
230.000
20.00
780
GUIDE
3D
Giant Guitarfish
15’-23’ | 4.6-7 m
15’-23’ | 4.6-7 m
5,300-6,600 lb | 2,400-3,000 kg
18-20 years
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
700.000
700.000
3000.000
20.00
8900
GUIDE
3D
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
5’-12.5’ | 1.5-3.8 m
330-463 lb | 150-210 kg
30-35 years
Goblin Shark
380.000
210.000
35.00
82000
GUIDE
3D
Goblin Shark
21”-34.6” | 53-88 cm
12’-20’ | 3.66-6.1 m
510-1,000 lb | 231-454 kg
20-30 years
Great Hammerhead
88.000
610.000
454.000
30.00
13100
GUIDE
3D
Great Hammerhead
11’-21’ | 3.35-6.4 m
1500-2400 lb | 680-1090 kg
30-70 years
Great White Shark
640.000
1090.000
70.00
133000
GUIDE
3D
Great White Shark
12’-24’ | 3.7-7.3 m
1950-2250 lb | 885-1020 kg
300-500 years
Greenland Shark
730.000
1020.000
500.00
55000
GUIDE
3D
Greenland Shark
6.7”-9” | 17-23 cm
36”-48” | 91-122 cm
20-23 lb | 9-10.4 kg
12-25 years
Horn Shark
23.000
122.000
10.400
25.00
8200
GUIDE
3D
Horn Shark
7.5’-11’ | 2.3-3.4 m
190-400 lb | 86-181 kg
25-35 years
Lemon Shark
340.000
181.000
35.00
27000
GUIDE
3D
Lemon Shark
4’-7’ | 1.2-2.1 m
35-45 lb | 16-20 kg
20-30 years
Leopard Shark
210.000
20.000
30.00
15000
GUIDE
3D
Leopard Shark
4.3”-5.1” | 11-13 cm
54”-59” | 137-150 cm
20-30 lb | 9-13.6 kg
10-15 years
Longnose Sawshark
13.000
150.000
13.600
15.00
380
GUIDE
3D
Longnose Sawshark
13’-18’ | 4-5.5 m
2000-2700 lb | 907-1225 kg
Unknown
Megamouth Shark
550.000
1225.000
28000
GUIDE
3D
Megamouth Shark
7.5’-10’ | 2.3-3 m
200-330 lb | 91-150 kg
15-25 years
Nurse Shark
300.000
150.000
25.00
35000
GUIDE
3D
Nurse Shark
15.75”-20.5” | 40-52 cm
10’-13’ | 3.05-3.96 m
200-370 lb | 91-168 kg
25-36 years
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
52.000
396.000
168.000
36.00
13250
GUIDE
3D
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
19.3”-24” | 49-61 cm
12’-14.5’ | 3.66-4.42 m
700-1,960 lb | 318-889 kg
40 years (minimum)
Pacific Sleeper Shark
61.000
442.000
889.000
40.00
4550
GUIDE
3D
Pacific Sleeper Shark
7.9”-10.25” | 20-26 cm
54”-66” | 137-168 cm
13-35 lb | 6-16 kg
25-30 years
Port Jackson Shark
26.000
168.000
16.000
30.00
14150
GUIDE
3D
Port Jackson Shark
9.83’-11.5’ | 3-3.5 m
5’-5.75’ | 1.52-1.75 m
1,543-3,086 lb | 700-1,400 kg
40-50 years
Reef Manta Ray
350.000
175.000
1400.000
50.00
2920
GUIDE
3D
Reef Manta Ray
6.5’-10’ | 2-3 m
485-1000 lb | 220-454 kg
20-30 years
Salmon Shark
300.000
454.000
30.00
11000
GUIDE
3D
Salmon Shark
27.2”-33.1” | 69-84 cm
47”-59” | 119-150 cm
27-35 lb | 12-16 kg
25-35 years
Sand Devil
84.000
150.000
16.000
35.00
1190
GUIDE
3D
Sand Devil
7’-10.5’ | 2.1-3.2 m
200-400 lb | 91-182 kg
10-15 years
Sand Tiger Shark
320.000
182.000
15.00
12000
GUIDE
3D
Sand Tiger Shark
31.1”-46.5” | 79-118 cm
6’-8.83’ | 1.83-2.69 m
187-298 lb | 85-135 kg
10-25 years
Shark Ray
118.000
269.000
135.000
25.00
3350
GUIDE
3D
Shark Ray
11.8”-22” | 30-56 cm
30”-54” | 76-137 cm
40-48.5 lb | 18-22 kg
11-16 years
Shovelnose Guitarfish
56.000
137.000
22.000
16.00
2810
GUIDE
3D
Shovelnose Guitarfish
24”-60” | 61-152 cm
20.5”-52.2” | 52-130 cm (Disc)
160-215 lb | 73-98 kg
12-17 years
Southern Stingray
152.000
130.000
98.000
17.00
2920
GUIDE
3D
Southern Stingray
3.1”-5.5” | 8-14 cm
24”-42” | 61-107 cm
8-22 lb | 3.6-10 kg
30-40 years
Spiny Dogfish
14.000
107.000
10.000
40.00
11200
GUIDE
3D
Spiny Dogfish
9’-10’ | 2.74-3.05 m
5.33’-6’ | 1.62-1.84 m
397-507 lb | 180-230 kg
15-20 years
Spotted Eagle Ray
305.000
184.000
230.000
20.00
11500
GUIDE
3D
Spotted Eagle Ray
10.5’-20’ | 3.2-6.1 m
500-775 lb | 227-352 kg
20-50 years
Thresher Shark
610.000
352.000
50.00
30000
GUIDE
3D
Thresher Shark
10’-14’ | 3-4.3 m
850-2000 lb | 385-907 kg
15-30 years
Tiger Shark
430.000
907.000
30.00
69000
GUIDE
3D
Tiger Shark
30’-62’ | 9.1-18.9 m
41000-50000 (20.6-25 tons) | 18600-22675 kg
70-130 years
Whale Shark
1890.000
22675.000
130.00
110000
GUIDE
3D
Whale Shark
6.5’-11.5’ | 2-3.5 m
45-65 lb | 20-30 kg
20-30 years
Zebra Shark
350.000
30.000
30.00
7100
GUIDE
3D
Zebra Shark
Australian Ghost Shark
Comparison illustration of the size of a Australian Ghost Shark to a typical person

The Australian Ghost Shark (Callorhinchus Milii), also known as a chimaera, is cartilaginous fish related to the shark. Ghost Sharks have 1 gill on each side of their body and have eyes that are lined with a reflective tissue that appears to glow. Their skeletons are made out of cartilage and lack scales.

Ghost sharks live in the cool waters of the continental shelves around the world. Ghost sharks typically eat small fishes and invertebrates. Not much is known about the ghost shark as they haven’t been studied much in their natural habitat.

Australian Ghost Sharks have a total length between 26”-49” (66-125 cm) and an overall weight in the range of 6.6-8.8 lb (3-4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Australian Ghost Shark is between 10-15 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Australian Ghost Shark in various poses
The Australian Ghost Shark (Callorhinchus Milii), also known as a chimaera, is cartilaginous fish related to the shark. Ghost Sharks have 1 gill on each side of their body and have eyes that are lined with a reflective tissue that appears to glow. Unlike other fish, they lack exterior scales.

Australian Ghost Sharks have a total length between 26”-49” (66-125 cm) and an overall weight in the range of 6.6-8.8 lb (3-4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Australian Ghost Shark is between 10-15 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Australian Ghost Shark in various poses
Australian Ghost Shark
Height:
Width:
Length:
26”-49” | 66-125 cm
Depth:
Weight:
6.6-8.8 lb | 3-4 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Callorhinchus milii
Lifespan
10-15 years

Drawings include:

Australian Ghost Shark side elevation, side (perspective), front, top

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Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)
Scale illustration of an average Frilled Shark with dimensions for height and length compared to a human

It may appear to be an eel, but the Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) is no eel. It only possesses eel features like a slender body, elongated tail fin, and chocolate brown color. These characteristics make it be considered a living fossil and, for some communities to call it eel shark. The name frilled shark comes from the frilled appearance of the six pairs of gill slits at the throat. You will mostly find it near the ocean floor in most oceans. The frilled shark is viviparous, nocturnal, feeding on smaller sharks or bony fish. The snout is short, while teeth are needle-like. It also has short rounded pectoral fins and a small dorsal fin near its tail.

Frilled Sharks have a total length between 4’-6.67’ (1.22-2.03 m) and body width of 1.8”-3” (4.5-7.5 cm). The typical weight of the Frilled Shark is in the range of 200-300 lb (91-136 kg). Frilled Sharks have lifespans between 20-25 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Frilled Shark
It may appear to be an eel, but the Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) is no eel. It only possesses eel features like a slender body, elongated tail fin, and chocolate brown color. These characteristics make it be considered a living fossil and, for some communities to call it eel shark.

Frilled Sharks have a total length between 4’-6.67’ (1.22-2.03 m) and body width of 1.8”-3” (4.5-7.5 cm). The typical weight of the Frilled Shark is in the range of 200-300 lb (91-136 kg). Frilled Sharks have lifespans between 20-25 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Frilled Shark
Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)
Height:
Width:
1.8”-3” | 4.5-7.5 cm
Length:
4’-6.67’ | 1.22-2.03 m
Depth:
Weight:
200-300 lb | 91-136 kg
Area:
Speed
Scientific Name
Chlamydoselachus anguineus
Lifespan
20-25 years

Drawings include:

Frilled Shark side elevation, side (perspective), front, top

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Common Eagle Ray (Myliobatis aquila)
Measured comparison illustration of the size of a Common Eagle Ray to a typical person and similar rays

From a distance, you may confuse the common eagle ray (Myliobatis Aquila) to be an eagle until you see its slender long tail with a large spine, single dorsal fin, and triangular pectoral fin making the fish mirror a rhomboid disc. These ovoviviparous animals love to school in bays, estuaries, and lagoons. The common eagle fish fit into the family Myliobatidae and are also called spotted eagle ray, toadfish, eagle ray, mill skate, sea eagle, and miller. It is a popular recreational fish in the Mediterranean Sea, Southwestern Indian Ocean, and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The sharp spine at the base of the tail may look dangerous but harmless.

Common Eagle Rays have a total width between 24”-33” (61-84 cm) and overall disc length of 14.6”-20.5” (37-52 cm). The typical weight of the Common Eagle Ray is in the range of 11-32 lb (5-14.5 kg). Common Eagle Rays have lifespans between 15-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Common Eagle Ray in top and side poses
From a distance, you may confuse the common eagle ray (Myliobatis Aquila) to be an eagle until you see its slender long tail with a large spine, single dorsal fin, and triangular pectoral fin making the fish mirror a rhomboid disc. These ovoviviparous animals love to school in bays and estuaries.

Common Eagle Rays have a total width between 24”-33” (61-84 cm) and overall disc length of 14.6”-20.5” (37-52 cm). The typical weight of the Common Eagle Ray is in the range of 11-32 lb (5-14.5 kg). Common Eagle Rays have lifespans between 15-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Common Eagle Ray in top and side poses
Common Eagle Ray (Myliobatis aquila)
Height:
Width:
24”-33” | 61-84 cm
Length:
14.6”-20.5” | 37-52 cm (Disc)
Depth:
Weight:
11-32 lb | 5-14.5 kg
Area:

Tail Length: 2.5-3x disc width

Scientific Name
Myliobatis aquila
Lifespan
15-20 years

Drawings include:

Common Eagle Ray side elevation, front, top

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Lemon Shark
Comparison illustration of the size of a Lemon Shark to a typical person

Lemon Sharks (Negaprion Brevirostris) are sharks recognizable by their yellow skin that helps them camouflage against the sandy waters of their habitat. They live in subtropical waters and are known to return to specific nursery sites to breed. Lemon Sharks often feed at night and use electroreceptors to find their prey.

They eat a variety of fish, rays, crustaceans, seabirds, and other sharks. Lemon sharks live in groups that allow them to have communication, courtship, and protection among one another. They are near threatened with extinction.

Lemon Sharks have a total length between 7.5’-11’ (2.3-3.4 m) and an overall weight in the range of 190-400 lb (86-181 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lemon Shark is 25-35 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Lemon Shark in various poses
The Lemon Shark (Negaprion Brevirostris) are recognizable by their yellow skin that helps them camouflage against the sandy subtropical waters of their habitat. They are known to return to specific nursery sites to breed. Lemon Sharks often feed at night and use electroreceptors to find their prey.

Lemon Sharks have a total length between 7.5’-11’ (2.3-3.4 m) and an overall weight in the range of 190-400 lb (86-181 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lemon Shark is 25-35 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Lemon Shark in various poses
Lemon Shark
Height:
Width:
Length:
7.5’-11’ | 2.3-3.4 m
Depth:
Weight:
190-400 lb | 86-181 kg
Area:
Speed
Scientific Name
Negaprion brevirostris
Lifespan
25-35 years

Drawings include:

Lemon Shark side elevation, side (perspective), front, top

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Greenland Shark
Comparison illustration of the size of a Greenland Shark to a typical person

The Greenland Shark (Somniosus Microcephalus), also referred to as the gurry shark, is a rare species of shark that has a short-rounded snout, small eyes, and between 48 to 52 teeth. Male Greenland sharks are smaller than female sharks. Greenland sharks live in the northern Atlantic and Arctic Ocean.

Greenland Sharks typically eat fish such as sharks, skates, eels, herring, capelin, arctic char, cod, rosefish, and sculpins. They commonly have 10 offspring at a time and are independent since birth. Greenland sharks have the longest known lifespan of all vertebrate species at up to 500 years. Greenland sharks are currently near-threatened by extinction due to hunting by humans.

Greenland Sharks have a total length between 12’-24’ (3.7-7.3 m) and an overall weight in the range of 1950-2250 lb (885-1020 kg). The typical lifespan of the Greenland Shark is a lengthy 300-500 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Greenland Shark in various poses
The Greenland Shark (Somniosus Microcephalus), also referred to as the gurry shark, has a short-rounded snout, small eyes, and between 48 to 52 teeth. Male Greenland sharks are smaller than female sharks. Greenland sharks live in the northern Atlantic and Arctic Ocean.

Greenland Sharks have a total length between 12’-24’ (3.7-7.3 m) and an overall weight in the range of 1950-2250 lb (885-1020 kg). The typical lifespan of the Greenland Shark is a lengthy 300-500 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Greenland Shark in various poses
Greenland Shark
Height:
Width:
Length:
12’-24’ | 3.7-7.3 m
Depth:
Weight:
1950-2250 lb | 885-1020 kg
Area:
Speed
Scientific Name
Somniosus microcephalus
Lifespan
300-500 years

Drawings include:

Greenland Shark side elevation, side (perspective), front, top

Details & Downloads

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