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Species Guide

Atlantic Halibut

Halibut
  • Spanish Name: Fletán del Atlántico
  • English Name: Atlantic Halibut
  • Scientific Name: Hippoglossus hippoglossus
  • Type of specie: Fish
  • Order: Pleuronectiformes
  • Family: Pleuronectidae

Habitat

  • Natural: Deep waters on sandy, muddy, or gravelly seabeds, typically at depths between 50 and 2000 meters.
  • Farming: Tanks or sea cages designed to simulate cold and oxygenated water conditions.

General Description

  • Body shape: Large and flat, with an elongated oval shape.
  • Distinctive features:

    Dark brown to blackish upper side and white underside. It has small scales and a slightly arched lateral line.

Size and Weight

  • Average length: Usually between 50 and 100 cm; in the wild, it can reach up to 1.2 meters. in the wild.
  • Average weight: Commonly between 5 and 10 kg; some specimens can weigh up to 300 kg.

Life Cycle

Slow-growing species, requiring 4 to 6 years to reach market size.

Adaptations

Thrives in cold waters and adapts well to farming systems with controlled temperature and oxygen levels.

Juveniles farming systems

Raised in land-based recirculation systems (RAS) or hatcheries.

Grow-out farming systems

Mainly in open sea cages or large land-based tanks with controlled conditions.

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  • Geographical distribution
North Atlantic Ocean, from Greenland and Iceland to the Barents Sea, and along the eastern coast of North America.
  • Main producing countries
Norway, Iceland, Canada, United States, Scotland.
  • Commercial value

Highly prized for its firm, white flesh and mild, slightly sweet flavor, making it a premium seafood product.

  • Additional uses

By-products: Used to produce fish oil and meal.

  • Common preparation methods
Often baked, grilled, poached, or pan-fried; available fresh, frozen, or as fillets.