The class Chondrichthyes is made up of cartilaginous fishes such as sharks, rays and chimaeras. Among them, only a few species of sharks are known to be venomous. To date, only two families, Heterodontidae and Squalidae, are reported to include venomous species. These two families are characterized by sharks with dorsal fin spines, which are not typical of most other families.
The horn shark (Heterodontus francisci) from the Gulf of California, possesses two venomous spines on the anterior portion of the dorsal fins. Envenomations from this species
occur when anglers handle struggling fish while attempting to remove the hook.
The spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is another venomous shark from the Eastern Pacific. Again, injuries are the result of stings while live specimens are handled.
The toxin of venomous sharks is contained within the tissue embedded in a groove along the spine. Almost nothing is known about the toxic properties of the venom. Experiments
conducted on laboratory animals indicate the venom is comparatively mild. Nonetheless, human envenomation can produce intense pain. Swelling of the injured area can persist for several days. Clinical reports claim some species of Squalus can induce fatal stings. This, however,
remains unconfirmed.
https://txmarspecies.tamug.edu/fishfamilydetails.cfm?famnameID=Carcharhinidae