Facts: The Atlantic Halibut

The Atlantic halibut is the largest flatfish in the world. The fish may grow to a length of more than 6 feet. These fish are distributed widely throughout the temperate and arctic waters of the northern Atlantic. They live on the bottom of the ocean, typically on sand, gravel, or clay. They have a compressed, oval-shaped body. Both eyes are on the right, upper side of the body. The mouth is very large, with numerous, sharp, curved teeth. Atlantic halibut are dark on top, and white on the underside. They swim with the left side facing the bottom and the right side with eyes facing the surface. They can be distinguished from most other species of flatfish by their concave tail. Atlantic halibut are fish commercially. They are the most widespread and most commercially valuable groundfish in the Atlantic Ocean. The fish has a mild sweet taste. Small halibut feed on small crustaceans and worms, while larger halibut tend to consume larger prey like pollock and cod, along with other flatfish species. They mature around 10 years of age. They are annual group synchronous spawners. Spawning likely occurs in deep water in late winter and spring. Females produce several batches of eggs each year. Larger females can produce millions of eggs. The eggs are neutrally buoyant and sink slowly as they develop. They hatch into larvae in 13 to 20 days. Larvae rise to the surface and drift into shallow inshore areas. Larvae may stay in the water column for up to a year before settling on the bottom. Juveniles undergo metamorphosis where the right side becomes the top of the fish. They are long-lived fish, living up to at least 50 years. The growth rate for males and females has been observed to be similar up to about 7 or 8 years old, after which point male growth slows and female growth continues to up to 20 years. The maximum size for females is much greater than males. Some of their predators include spiny dogfish and greenland sharks. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!