Benthic in nature, the sixgill stingray is usually found over upper continental slopes and seamounts at depths of 500–1,120 m (1,640–3,670 ft).

The generic name Hexatrygon is derived from the Greek hexa ("six") and trygon ("stingray"), referring to the number of gill slits.

However, their validity was brought into question after comparative studies revealed that traits such as snout shape, body proportions, and tooth number vary greatly with age and among individuals.

Taxonomists therefore concluded tentatively that there is only a single species of sixgill stingray,[4] though genetic analysis is needed to determine whether this is truly the case.

[9] The sixgill stingray has a bulky, flabby body with a rounded pectoral fin disc that is longer than wide.

Between the widely spaced nostrils are a pair of short and fleshy flaps that are joined in the middle to form a curtain of skin.

The disc is purplish to pinkish brown above, darkening slightly at the fin margins; the skin is easily abraded, leaving white patches.

[1][10] The long snout of the sixgill stingray is very flexible both vertically and horizontally, suggesting that the ray uses it to probe for food in the bottom sediment.

[2] The underside of the snout is covered by well-developed ampullae of Lorenzini arranged in longitudinal rows, which are capable of detecting the minute electric fields produced by other organisms.

[1] For the most part, little fishing activity occurs at the depths occupied by the sixgill stingray, thus the IUCN has listed it as Least Concern.

The catch rate seems to have decreased in recent years, leading to concerns that it may be locally overfished, though quantitative data are lacking.