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. Subtle hues of pink are also present around areas such as the mouth and fins. Its broad pectoral fins play a critical role in stabilization, allowing the fish to maintain balance on the ocean floor, while its heterocercal tail, a feature common among cartilaginous fishes, is highly effective for maneuvering within the water column. The asymmetrical structure is essential for tasks such as ascending, descending, and making sharp turns.

As one of the oldest living groups of jawed cartilaginous fishes, C. callorynchus has adapted to its habitat by benthic foraging. Benthic foraging is a method of seeking prey that entails sifting through the sludge of the ocean floor that bottom feeding fish utilize to forage for prey. Its most notable characteristic is its unique sub-terminal plough-shaped snout that is well-adapted for crushing invertebrate prey including scallops, mollusks, and other benthic invertebrates. 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. Furthermore, sexual dimorphism is present in this species, with females reaching lengths of up to 102 centimeters and males growing to about 85 centimeters. Upon birth, juveniles measure approximately 13 centimeters in length.

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