do cartilaginous fish stop growing? Explain.

Question

Do cartilaginous fish stop growing? Explain. Be complete and answer in complete sentences

Answer 1

Cartilaginous fish, such as sharks and rays, do not stop growing in the same way that most bony fish or mammals do. Instead, they exhibit a type of growth called indeterminate growth, meaning they continue to grow slowly throughout their lives. While their growth rate decreases with age, they never reach a fixed size limit. This continuous growth is supported by their cartilaginous skeletons, which remain more flexible than bone and allow for gradual expansion over time. Environmental factors, food availability, and genetics also influence how much and how long they grow.