Halibut

Also known as flounder, these extraordinary bottom fish usually range in waters with depth from 20 to 90 metres (70 to 300 ft.). They reach almost unbelievable weights of up to 180 kg (400 lb). As a general rule, any halibut over 71 will be a female carrying millions of eggs. The average halibut caught by recreational anglers weighs 9 to 18 kg (20 to 40 lb).

These large, important and sought after fish have eyes and colour on one side of their body. The scientific name for Pacific halibut is Hippoglossus stenolepis, a name derived from the Greek hippos (horse), glossa (tongue), steno (narrow), and lepis (scale). Halibut belong to a family of flounders called Pleuronectidae.

Pacific halibut can be found along the continental shelf in the North Pacific and Bering Sea. They have flat, diamond-shaped bodies and are able to migrate long distances. Most adult fish tend to remain on the same grounds year after year, making only a seasonal migration from the more shallow feeding grounds in summer to deeper spawning grounds in winter.

Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada