Overview
The largest flatfish, can reach enormous weights.
Identification
Flattened bodylarge mouthsharp teetheyes on the right sidestrong caudal finpointed snoutrough skincamouflage coloring
- Body
- Flattened body with eyes on one side. Very wide and sturdy.
- Colouration
- Dark brown upper side with lighter shades, white belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/barely noticeable
- Growth
- Rapid in the first years then stabilizes
Taxonomy
- Family
- Pleuronectidae
- Order
- Pleuronectiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Paralichthys lethostigmaHippoglossus hippoglossusReinhardtius hippoglossoidesPleuronectes platessaLimanda limanda
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- open_sea, reefs, deep_sea
- Preferred bottom
- sand, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Found along the northern Pacific coasts, from Alaska to Japan and California.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides in sandy or gravelly bottoms, often sheltered among rocks.
Prefers sandy or muddy bottoms where it can easily hide.
Presence by sea area
Na Pacifico NwPeak
Na Costa Ovest NordPeak
Na Costa Ovest CentroPeak
As Giappone NordPeak
As OkhotskPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- fish, squid, octopus
- Secondary prey
- shrimp, crabs, starfish
- Occasional prey
- plankton, seaweed, sea urchins
- Feeding behaviour
- Actively hunts on the seabed, using its camouflage to ambush prey.
- Natural predators
- sharks, orca, sea lions
Mainly feeds at night, benefiting from its sharp vision.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Undergoes seasonal migrations to deeper waters for spawning.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Moves closer to shore during warmer months and further out in colder ones.
- Juveniles
- Feeds mainly on small crustaceans and inhabits shallower waters.
- Adults
- Tends to descend deeper and hunt larger prey.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- November, December, January, February
- Spawning depth
- between 200 and 600 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, about 3-4 mm in diameter.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic and float freely until metamorphosis.
- Sexual maturity
- 8-15 years
When to catch Pacific halibut
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, mattina, tramonto
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
More active, moves more.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Buried in the bottom.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
deep reefsareas with sandy bottomsnear underwater canyonscold, deep waters
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
longlineline trawlbottom trawlinggigging
Other applicable
Deep DroppingBolentinoPesca A FondoBolentino LeggeroBolentino MedioBolentino ProfondoDriftingPesca A Fondo Leggera
Recommended baits
herringcuttlefishmackerelshrimp
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitMetal jig pesante (100-300g)Soft plastic grande (20-30cm)Paddle tail softbaitSlow pitch jig
Medium
Acciuga vivaAringa interaCalamaro interoPezzo di pescePolpo mortoSgombro interoEsca viva profonda
High
Acciuga vivaAringa interaCalamaro intero
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights on the bottom, stubbornly resisting with its flat body.
- Handling
- Handle with gloves due to rough skin and sharp teeth.
- Release
- Ensure quick release to avoid harm to the halibut.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA world all-tackle record for Pacific halibut is about 221 kg, caught in 1996 off Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Maximum sizes recorded vary, but specimens over 150 kg are common in the North Pacific.
- In the kitchen
- Delicacy in many cuisines, often grilled or used for sushi.
- Cultural notes
- Symbol of abundance among northwestern Pacific indigenous peoples.
- Historical notes
- Traditionally fished by Native American tribes, considered a vital resource.
