Overview
The largest flatfish in the world. Powerful predator of northern bottoms, can reach enormous sizes.
Identification
Eyes on the right sideElongated oval shapeWhite undersideWide mouthRough scalesLong dorsal finHeterocercal tailBroad head
- Body
- Flat, oval body with eyes on one side.
- Colouration
- Dark brown on top, whitish underneath.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not noticeable
- Growth
- Slow, grows significantly only after several years.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Pleuronectidae
- Order
- Pleuronectiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Hippoglossus stenolepisReinhardtius hippoglossoidesAtheresthes stomiasHippoglossoides platessoidesPleuronectes platessa
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- deep_sea, pelagic
- Preferred bottom
- rock, sand, mud
- Geographic distribution
- Northern Atlantic coasts, from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Maine, up to Northern Europe.
- Micro-habitat
- Prefers rocky and sandy bottoms, where it hides to ambush prey from below.
Prefers mixed rocky and sandy bottoms to easily camouflage.
Presence by sea area
Eu Atlantico NePeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Na Atlantico NwPeak
Na Costa Est NordPeak
Arctic AtlanticoPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- fish, squid, crustaceans
- Secondary prey
- cod, herring, capelin
- Occasional prey
- octopus, crabs
- Feeding behaviour
- Ambush predator, waits camouflaged on the seabed before striking passing prey.
- Natural predators
- seals, killer whales, sharks
Prefers large prey, hunting by surprise.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Resident, with limited movement for reproduction.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Moves closer to the coast during the breeding season.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles stay near coastal bottoms in shallower waters.
- Adults
- Adults prefer deeper, more open areas.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June
- Spawning depth
- between 200 and 500 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, small and numerous.
- Larval stage
- Planktonic larvae that develop before settling on the bottom.
- Sexual maturity
- Between 10 and 14 years
When to catch Atlantic halibut
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino, pomeriggio
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, autumn and winter, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
More active, moves to hunt.
Medium
Regular bottom activity.
High
Still on the bottom.
Barometric trend
Rising
Stays on bottom.
Stable
Feeds regularly.
Falling
More active, moves to search for prey.
Water temperature
4°COptimal zone: 8-15°C18°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
reef edgessand flatsbright water linesbottom contours
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
longlinegillnetset-nettrolling
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoDeep DroppingBolentino LeggeroBolentino MedioBolentino ProfondoDriftingPesca A Fondo Leggera
Recommended baits
fishsquidshrimpherring
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitMetal jig pesante (100-300g)Soft plastic grande (20-30cm)Paddle tail softbaitSlow pitch jig
Medium
Aringa interaAringa vivaCalamaro interoPezzo di pescePolpo mortoSgombro interoEsca viva profonda
High
Aringa interaAringa vivaCalamaro intero
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Powerful fight with strong lateral thrashing.
- Handling
- Handle with care to avoid injury, maintain a good grip due to its size.
- Release
- Release carefully, avoiding damage to gills and fins.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The Atlantic halibut is known for its large size, with specimens exceeding 300 kg and over 2.5 meters long. One of the IGFA world records for all-tackle Atlantic halibut is 211 kg, caught in 1974 in Norway. It is a popular species in North Atlantic sport-fishing, often sought after for its impressive size.
- In the kitchen
- Highly prized smoked or baked, an ingredient in many traditional Nordic dishes.
- Cultural notes
- In Nordic legends, considered a symbol of strength and endurance.
- Historical notes
- Hunted since the Viking era for its nutritional value.
