halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
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.
21
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_halibut
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Order
Pleuronectiformes
Family
Pleuronectidae
Genus
Hippoglossus
halibut belongs to the family Pleuronectidae, order Pleuronectiformes, within the unknown class.
Species Profile
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.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
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.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
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.
Commercial overfishing
Bycatch in other fisheries
Climate change affecting prey distribution
Habitat degradation from bottom trawling
Found in 21 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | VUVulnerable | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | VUVulnerable | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/halibut