The elasmobranchs are a subclass of cartilaginous fishes, comprising over 800 species. Cartilaginous fishes differ from bony fishes in that they do not have an ossified skeleton. Elasmobranchii are divided into rays and sharks. Although there are about 50 species of sharks in the Canary Islands, only a few can be observed while diving. Among these, angel sharks are seen most frequently.
