About the Orectolobidae Family

The Orectolobidae is a family of chondrichthyes placed in the order Chondrichthyes.

Like other members of Chondrichthyes, these fishes share the group's defining traits: They are cartilaginous fishes (sharks, rays, chimaeras) with placoid scales, no swim bladder, and replaceable teeth.

Families such as Orectolobidae contribute to the extraordinary breadth of form and ecology seen across Chondrichthyes, ranging from open-water and reef dwellers to riverine and deep-sea forms depending on the lineage. It embraces roughly 6 accepted species in the global checklist.