The American elephantfish (Callorhinchus callorynchus), commonly referred to as the cockfish, belongs to the family Callorhinchidae, a unique group of cartilaginous fishes.

This species has a striking appearance, characterized by a silver to gray body with prominent brown spots concentrated on the dorsal half of the fish and on the fins.

Its strong jaws contain tooth plates, which are structures in the mouth designed to crush hard-shelled prey, making it an efficient bottom-dwelling predator.

Other chimeras include the Australian ghostshark (C. milii), which found in the sea floors surrounding Australia in the southwest Pacific Ocean, and the Cape elephantfish (C. capensis), which inhabits waters off the coast of South Africa.

The mating and egg-laying cycle of C. callorynchus happens primarily in the spring and early summer months, typically in shallow murky waters at depths of around 30 meters.

A study conducted by Melisa A. Chierichetti from the National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP) focused on the reproductive biology of C. callorynchus and revealed important findings.

Its tendency to form large aggregations makes it particularly susceptible to overfishing, while its low fecundity rate and late sexual maturity further reduce its ability to recover from population declines.

A recent study indicated that sea surface temperatures have risen by 0.9 °C over the past 37 years, potentially altering the conditions needed for successful reproduction.

Warmer water temperatures have led to an increase in nutrient and bacterial blooms, which negatively impact the populations of scallops, one of the primary prey species for C.