Greenland halibut
Deep-water flatfish of the northern oceans
The Greenland halibut is a cold-water flatfish found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. It lives at great depths and supports major commercial fisheries in nations like Canada and Greenland. The species faces pressure from overfishing but remains near threatened globally.
- Left eye stays on dorsal ridge, not fully migrated
- Spawns at 200–350 m depth in winter months
- Key economic resource for Greenland and Canada
- Diet shifts from crustaceans to fish as it grows
- Listed as Near Threatened due to overfishing risks
What it is
This fish is a flatfish with an elongated, compressed body. Unlike many relatives, both sides are pigmented brown, though the left side is paler. Its left eye sits on the dorsal ridge rather than fully migrating to the right side. This unique placement may allow forward vision. Adults typically weigh between 11 and 25 kg, reaching up to 45 kg. They can grow to 120 cm in length. The species is the only member of its genus.
Where it lives
It inhabits cold waters across the Northern Hemisphere. In the Atlantic, it ranges from the British Isles to Norway and from Newfoundland to Greenland. In the Pacific, it lives from Japan to the Chukchi Sea and down to Baja California. It prefers depths between 500 and 1,000 metres but can be found as deep as 2,200 metres. Temperatures usually range from 1 to 4 degrees Celsius, though it survives subzero conditions.
How it lives
Although classified as a bottom-dweller, this predator frequently swims into the water column to feed. Small individuals eat crustaceans like amphipods. Larger fish consume shrimp, squid and other fish such as herring and cod. Diet varies by location, with polar cod important in the Beaufort Sea. They also scavenge offal discarded by fishing vessels. Tagging data suggests they do not maintain a vertical swimming posture despite earlier theories.
Breeding and life cycle
Spawning occurs from January to March. Fish rise from deep water to depths of 200 to 350 metres to release eggs and sperm. Females spawn once a year, while males mate with multiple partners. Eggs and larvae drift in the water column until metamorphosis at about 7 cm. Uniquely, females develop two groups of eggs simultaneously. This adaptation allows annual spawning despite the slow egg development caused by cold temperatures.
Fish and people
Commercial fleets from Russia, Norway and Canada catch this species using trawls and longlines. It is vital to the economy of Greenland and Indigenous communities in Canada. The meat is oily and often smoked or frozen for export to East Asia. Processing waste feeds sled dogs in Greenland. Disputes over fishing rights led to the Turbot War in the 1990s. Greenpeace listed it as unsustainable in 2010 due to trawling damage, though some fisheries are now certified sustainable.
Status and threats
The species is listed as Near Threatened. Overfishing caused declines until the 1970s, but stocks have slightly increased since the 1980s. Local populations remain under pressure, particularly in coastal areas. Threats include industrial activity near spawning grounds and melting glaciers affecting nutrient cycles. Quota agreements exist between Greenland, Canada and European nations. Biologists recommended reduced catches in the Greenland Sea in 2019 to protect declining stocks.
Questions people ask about Greenland halibut
Is Greenland halibut the same as true turbot?
No. True turbot is Scophthalmus maximus. Greenland halibut is Reinhardtius hippoglossoides. The name turbot is used in North America for marketing, causing confusion in Europe where the names refer to different species.
Why is it called a flatfish if it swims vertically?
It is anatomically a flatfish with one eye migrated. However, it spends time in the water column feeding. Earlier theories suggested vertical swimming, but tag data does not fully support this. It remains a benthic species by classification.
What is the Turbot War?
This was a diplomatic dispute in the mid-1990s between Canada and the European Union. It concerned fishing rights for Greenland halibut in the Atlantic Ocean off Canada. No injuries occurred, but it highlighted tensions over stock management.
Good reading and sources
- Greenland halibut on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Greenland halibut", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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