Chondrichthyes are a taxonomic class of cartilaginous fishes that encompass sharks and rays (elasmobranchs) and chimaera.  Though there are exceptions, in general, Chondrichthyes have exposed gills, no swim bladder, internal fertilization, and placoid denticles.

Chimaeras are a predominately deep sea branch of chondrichthyes with most found deeper than 200m (NOAA).


  These characteristics differentiate them from the more evolutionarily derived branch of fishes, bony fish (Osteichthyes). (fishionary.fisheries.org/chondrichthyes)