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Alaska halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) — Pleuronectidae

Alaska halibut

Hippoglossus stenolepis
NE · Not Evaluated

The Alaska halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 258 cm.

Length
258 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Pacific halibut is a very large flatfish from the cold waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 258 cm and has an oblong, rhomboid, strongly flattened body with both eyes on the right side and a dark-brown upper side. As a powerful predator it lives over sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and slope, to about 1200 metres, and hunts fish, squid and crustaceans. It is a very important commercial food and sport fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Alaska halibut?

The Alaska halibut has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Very large diamond-shaped flatfish with eyes on the right side; powerful predator

Where does the Alaska halibut live?

The Alaska halibut lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific

How big does the Alaska halibut get?

The Alaska halibut grows to a maximum of about 258 cm.

Is the Alaska halibut dangerous to humans?

No, the Alaska halibut is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Alaska halibut edible?

Yes, the Alaska halibut is commonly eaten.

More photos

Alaska halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) — Pleuronectidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Duane A. Dyer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Alaska halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) — Pleuronectidae — 3
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
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All data

Identification

English name
Alaska halibut verified
Scientific name
Hippoglossus stenolepis
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Halibut; Pacific halibut verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
258.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1200.0 verified
Natural range
North Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes, squid and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
55.0 verified
Seasonality
Large predatory flatfish of cold water; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Very large diamond-shaped flatfish with eyes on the right side; powerful predator sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Longline and net fishing sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hippoglossus

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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