Class Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fishes)


Order Carcharhiniformes Ground Sharks	Order Chimaeriformes Chimaeras
Order Chondrenchelyiformes Chondrenchelyiformes	Order Cladodontiformes Cladodontiformes
Order Cladoselachiformes Cladoselachiformes	Order Copodontiformes Holocephalans
Order Ctenacanthiformes Ctenacanthiformes	Order Edestiformes Edestiformes
Order Helodontiformes Helodontiformes	Order Heterodontiformes Horn Sharks
Order Hexanchiformes Cow Sharks & Frill Sharks	Order Hybodontiformes Hybodontiformes
Order Iniopterygiformes Iniopterygiformes	Order Lamniformes Mackerel Sharks
Order Lugalepidida Lugalepidida	Order Mongolepidida Mongolepidida
Order Myliobatiformes Stingrays, Eagle Rays, and Manta Rays	Order Myriacanthiformes Myriacanthiformes
Order Orectolobiformes Carpet Sharks	Order Petalodontiformes Petalodontiformes
Order Pristiformes Sawfishes	Order Pristiophoriformes Sawsharks
Order Psammodontiformes Psammodontiformes	Order Rajiformes Rays & Skates
Order Squaliformes Dogfish & Sleeper Sharks	Order Squatiniformes Angel Sharks
Order Torpediniformes Electric Rays	Order Xenacanthiformes Xenacanthiformes

The Class Chondrichthyes includes cartilaginous fishes such as sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras. Unlike bony fish, their skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone. They have paired fins, jaws with multiple rows of teeth, and placoid scales that reduce drag while swimming. Most are carnivorous predators with keen senses, including electroreception to detect prey. Chondrichthyes are mostly marine, with some species inhabiting freshwater, and they play key roles as top predators in aquatic ecosystems.