 | | Description: | | A halibut is a type of flatfish. This name is derived from Dutch heilbot. Fishes bearing the name halibut live in both the North Pacific and the North Atlantic Oceans, and are highly regarded food fish. The Pacific halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis, has been known to attain a weight of over 500 pounds (230 kg) and can be eight feet (2.4 m) or greater in length; a very large halibut is known as a "barn door". Females grow much larger than males with males only rarely reaching 100 pounds. Like the flounders, adult halibut typically have both eyes on the right side of the head. Halibut have speckled or brown top (right) sides and creamy white under (left) sides, and can be distinguished from other flatfish by the tail. |
|