California halibut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California halibut |
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Hippoglossus californicus Ayres, 1859 |
The California halibut or California flounder (Paralichthys californicus) is a type of large-tooth flounder. This fish lives in the Pacific Ocean along the coast of North America. You can find them from the Quillayute River in Washington all the way down to Magdalena Bay in Baja California.
California halibut usually swim and feed close to the shore. They typically weigh between 6 and 30 pounds (3 to 23 kg). They are much smaller than their relatives, the Pacific halibut, which can weigh up to 300 pounds (140 kg)!
What Makes This Fish Special?
The California halibut is a very unusual fish. When they are born, they are like tiny baby fish called "fry." At first, they swim upright, just like most other fish. But as they grow, something amazing happens!
The Eye Migration
One of their eyes actually moves from one side of their head to the other. This happens as the fish changes from swimming upright to lying flat on its side. Once they are adults, both eyes are on the "up-side" of their body. This way, they can see what's happening above them while they rest on the ocean floor.
Most flatfish are either "right-eyed" (both eyes on the right side) or "left-eyed" (both eyes on the left side). But the California halibut is special because there's an almost equal number of both types!
Hiding on the Seafloor
Like other flatfish, the California halibut is a master of disguise. It loves to hide under sand or loose gravel at the bottom of the ocean. Its skin helps it blend in perfectly with its surroundings. This makes it very hard for predators to spot them.
Images for kids
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A California halibut
