Home · Pleuronectidae · Black halibut
Black halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) — Pleuronectidae

Black halibut

Reinhardtius hippoglossoides
NT · Near Threatened

The Black halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 110 cm.

Length
110 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–2200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Greenland halibut is a large flatfish of the righteye flounder family (Pleuronectidae) from the cold northern Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. The species grows to about 1.1 metres and has an elongate body with both eyes on the right side, but unlike most flatfishes also a well-developed, dark-coloured blind side, related to its partly active, pelagic hunting behaviour. It lives at great depth and tolerates bottom temperatures of -0.5 to 6 degrees. As a predator it hunts fishes, squid and crustaceans. The Greenland halibut is a very important commercial fish; owing to fishing pressure it is listed as Near Threatened (NT). It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black halibut?

The Black halibut has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Black halibut live?

The Black halibut lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Black halibut get?

The Black halibut grows to a maximum of about 110 cm. On average the species is around 56 cm.

Is the Black halibut dangerous to humans?

No, the Black halibut is harmless to humans.

Is the Black halibut edible?

Yes, the Black halibut is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Groenlandse heilbot sourced
English name
Black halibut verified
Scientific name
Reinhardtius hippoglossoides
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Blue halibut; Flatty; Greenland halibut verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2200.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
36.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Pleuronectidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →