halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_halibut
Overview
The Atlantic halibut is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. They are demersal fish living on or near sand, gravel or clay bottoms at depths of between 50 and 2,000 m. The halibut is among the largest teleost (bony) fish in the world, and is a threatened species owing to a slow rate of growth and overfishing.
Halibut are strong swimmers and are able to migrate long distances. Halibut size is not age-specific, but rather tends to follow a cycle related to halibut abundance.
Atlantic halibut populations have been severely depleted by decades of intensive commercial fishing, with stocks declining by over 90% since the early 1900s. The species' slow growth rate, late sexual maturity, and long lifespan make it particularly vulnerable to overexploitation and slow to recover from population declines.
Habitat
This marine fish usually lives on the ocean floor at depths between , but it occasionally comes closer to the surface. The larvae are pelagic, drifting relatively helplessly, but at around 4 cm, they migrate to the bottom. Young between the ages of two and four years live close to the shore, moving into deeper waters as they grow older.
Threatened in Antarctica
Frequently asked questions
Why is halibut classified as Endangered?
Where does halibut live?
What are the main threats to halibut?
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