Head to head
Pacific Halibut vs Atlantic Halibut
A Pacific halibut and an Atlantic halibut are close enough in body plan and lifestyle that most people would never guess they are managed as entirely separate species, each the largest flatfish in its own ocean.
| Pacific Halibut | Atlantic Halibut | |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Pleuronectidae | Pleuronectidae |
| Native range | North Pacific | North Atlantic |
| Eye migration during development | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum size | Over 2 metres, 200+ kg | Over 2 metres, 300+ kg |
| Managing authority | International Pacific Halibut Commission | Regional Atlantic fishery bodies |
| Habitat | Continental shelf sea floor | Continental shelf sea floor |
| Diet | Fish, squid, crustaceans | Fish, squid, crustaceans |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Endangered |
Pacific Halibut vs Atlantic Halibut: common questions
Are Pacific halibut and Atlantic halibut the same species?
No, despite very similar body plans, sizes, and lifestyles, the Pacific halibut and Atlantic halibut are separate, distinct species found in different oceans, and they are managed as entirely separate fisheries and populations under different regional authorities rather than being treated as a single global stock.
Why is the Atlantic halibut more at risk than the Pacific halibut?
The Atlantic halibut has a long history of intensive commercial fishing across the North Atlantic that reduced populations significantly before modern management measures were put in place, leaving it assessed as Endangered, while the Pacific halibut fishery has generally been managed more conservatively from an earlier stage, helping keep its population at a healthier, Least Concern status.
Do both halibut species go through the same eye migration?
Yes, both the Pacific halibut and the Atlantic halibut begin life as symmetrical fish with one eye on each side of the head, and in both species one eye gradually migrates across the top of the skull during a distinct larval stage, producing the same flattened, both-eyes-up adult body plan characteristic of all flatfish.