Atlantic Halibut

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

The Atlantic Halibut is a member of a group known as flatfishes that includes flounders and sole. These are flat-bodied fishes with both eyes on one side of the body. When they first hatch they have one eye on either side of the body, but as they grow one eye moves to the other side. Flatfishes settle on the ocean bottom, resting on their eyeless sides, with their eyes facing upward. When they swim, they swim on their sides.

Look For : A huge, righteye flatfish.

Length : 6'.

Habitat : Sand, gravel, or clay ocean bottoms at depths of 200-3,000'.

Range : Greenland to New Jersey.