Callorhinchus, the plough-nosed chimaeras or elephantfish, are the only living genus in the family Callorhinchidae (sometimes spelled Callorhynchidae).

are similar in form and habits to other chimaeras, but are distinguished by the presence of an elongated, flexible, fleshy snout, with a vague resemblance to a ploughshare.

They possess large pectoral fins, believed to aid in moving swiftly through the water.

The snout is used to probe the sea bottom in search of the invertebrates and small fishes[inconsistent] on which it preys.

[citation needed] In addition to its use for feeding, the "trunks" of the Callorhinchus fish can sense movement and electric fields, allowing them to locate their prey.

[8] Members of this genus are all found in subtropical and temperate waters in the Southern Hemisphere:[9] The encephalization quotient is 1.1, compared to 6 in humans.

Its vision is very poor and the electrical sensing capabilities of the snout are predominantly used to find food.

[13] The Callorhinchidae are predominantly filter feeders, feeding on the sandy sediment of the ocean bottoms or continental shelves.

Males possess the characteristic claspers near the pelvic fin that are seen in sharks, and these are used to transport the gametes.

The keratinous eggs are released onto the muddy sediment of the ocean bottom, usually in shallower water.

At first, the egg is a golden yellow color, but this transforms into brown, and finally, black right before hatching.

[16] Currently, no effort is being made to conserve the family Callorhinchidae, but the species are heavily fished for food in South America.