Chimaeridae

Chimaeridae is a family of cartilaginous fishes within the subclass Holocephali and the order Chimaeriformes. It includes the genus Chimaera and comprises several species commonly known as short-nosed chimaeras or ratfishes. The best-known member is the common chimaera, Chimaera monstrosa.

Members of Chimaeridae are characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, an elongated body, and a relatively large head with broad, wing-like pectoral fins. They have a ventral mouth equipped with tooth-like dental plates and five gill openings located on the underside behind the head, typically covered by a flap of skin. Their skin bears dermal denticles rather than true scales. The rostrum is relatively short compared with related long-nosed chimaeras found in other families.

Distribution and habitat for Chimaeridae are global, though they are mostly associated with temperate and tropical deep-water environments. They are primarily demersal, inhabiting the bottoms of continental shelves and slopes at considerable depths. Their diet consists of mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, and other invertebrates encountered on the seafloor.

Reproduction in Chimaeridae is oviparous; females lay large eggs that develop on the seafloor, a life history strategy common among chimaeras. Spawning seasons and reproductive rates vary by region and species.

Conservation and research attention for Chimaeridae focus on the challenges of deep-sea ecosystems and bycatch in fisheries. Because many species are poorly studied, population trends and long-term threats remain incompletely understood, underscoring the need for cautious management and further scientific data.