lautnusantara.com - The Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. They are demersal fish living on or near sand, gravel or clay bottoms at deep sea. Halibut are strong swimmers and are able to migrate long distances. The native habitat of the Atlantic halibut is the temperate and arctic waters of the northern Atlantic, from Labrador and Greenland to Iceland, the Barents Sea and as far south as the Bay of Biscay and Virginia. It is the largest flatfish in the world.

Atlantic Halibut have a relatively slow growth rate and late onset of sexual maturity, with males attaining maturity at seven to eight years old, females at 10 to 11 years, and individuals averagely live around 25 to 30 years old. The oldest to have been caught was 50 years old. This marine fish usually lives on the ocean floor at depths between 50 and 2,000 m, but it occasionally comes closer to the surface. 

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Here are 7 interesting facts about this flatfish:

1. Atlantic halibut can grow to be quite large. Males can reach up to 4,6 m, and the largest halibut recorded was 278 kg in 1917.
2. Atlantic halibut's colors can range from dark brown to light gray. The younger the fish, the more speckled the skin color is.
3. The largest flatfish in the world, the Atlantic halibut is a right-sided flounder. The mouth is large with sharp, curved teeth inside.
4. Large Atlantic halibut can produce over 2 million eggs in one season. They spawn once between April and early September.
5. Once they grow to an inch, the left eye migrates to the right side.
6. Atlantic halibut live on the bottom of the ocean, typically on sand, gravel, or clay. 
7. Atlantic halibut are found all around the North Atlantic.

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Due to its popularity as a food fish, Atlantic halibut has attracted investment in fish farming. As of 2006, five countries—Canada, Norway, the UK, Iceland and Chile—were engaged in some form of Atlantic halibut aquaculture production.