Chimaeras are also known as ghost sharks, ratfish, spookfish and rabbitfishes.Their closest living relatives are sharks, though in evolutionary terms they branched off from sharks nearly 400 million years ago and have remained isolated ever since, usually found in deep water.
Chimaeras live in temperate ocean floors down to 2,600 metres depth, with few occurring at depths shallower than 200 metres. They have long, soft bodies, with a large head and snout, which is modified into an elongated sensory organ, and a single gill-opening. They reach up to 150 centimetres in length including the tail.
They have smooth skin without scales and most have a venomous spine located in front of the dorsal fin.