Overview
The lateral line, which has a scale count of about 160, arches strongly above the pectoral fin. The teeth are equally well developed in both sides of the jaw. This species is usually pearly white and featureless on the blind side. Some specimens, nicknamed “cherry bellies”, have a reddish tint on the blind side.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Pleuronectidae
- Genus
- Hippoglossus
- Species
- hippoglossus
Habitat
Lives on the ocean floor of very deep, cold water.
Diet
Small fish, Large Crustaceans, Herring, Pogge, Sand Eels
Behavior
Lives on the ocean floor. The Atlantic Halibut feed in midwater as well as the ocean floor.
Fishing
The best fishing method is drift fishing on the bottom with heavy tackle, but they can be caught on fly. The halibut is a strong fighter and a valuable food fish. The flesh is of good quality and texture
Conservation Status
Listed as Endangered by IUCN.