Halibut
Halibut
Halibut (/ˈhælɪbʌt/; from haly (holy) + butte (flat fish), for its popularity on Catholic holy days) is a species of flatfish. It is a demersal fish that lives in the North Pacific and the North Atlantic oceans. Halibut are among the largest teleost (bony) fish in the world.
Etymology
The word "halibut" is derived from haly (holy) and butte (flat fish), due to its popularity on Catholic holy days. The name is thought to have been in use since the 14th century.
Description
Halibut are dark brown on the top side with an off-white underbelly and have very small scales invisible to the naked eye embedded in their skin. Halibut are symmetrical at birth with one eye on each side of their head. Then, about six months later, during larval metamorphosis one eye migrates to the other side of the head. The eyes are permanently set once the skull is fully ossified.
Diet
Halibut feed on almost any fish or animal that they can fit into their mouths. Generally, their diet consists of fish such as pollock, cod, herring, and sand lance, and octopus, crab, and shrimp.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Halibut
- Wikipedia's article - Halibut
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