©Timo Moritz/DMM

Halibut

D-Heilbutt; GB-Halibut; DK-Helleflynder; PL-Halibut atlantycki; LT-Baltasis paltusas; EST-Harilik hiidlest; RU-Атлантический белокорый палтус; FIN-Ruijanpallas; S-Hälleflundra

Characters

1) Both eyes on the right body side.
2) Large mouth opening (reaches till under eye).
3) Lateral line above pectoral fin clearly visible.
●) Dorsal fin beginns above eye.
●) Body surface dark, greenish-grey; blind side light; young individuals speckled.
Usually up to 200 cm, in former times maybe up to 470 cm length.

Similar species

Long rough dab - ody colouration clearly lighter; lateral line above pectoral fin hardly curved; caudal fin curved outwards (vs. straight or curved inwards in halibut).

Biology

Prowls on the Sea ground between 50 m and 2000 m. Reaches sexual maturity with 7-18 years and may become up to 50 years old.

Diet

Feeds predatory on fish (mainly on cod, shellfish, sand eels and herring), squids and crustaceans; also hunts in free waters.

Importance

Important food fish; also grown in aquaculture.

Endangerment

Endangered due to overfishing (slow growth rate and late sexual maturity).