Greenland halibut facts for kids
The Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), also called Greenland turbot, is a type of flatfish. It belongs to the Pleuronectidae family. It is the only species in its group, called Reinhardtius.
Quick facts for kids Greenland Halibut |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family: | Pleuronectidae |
| Genus: | Reinhardtius Gill, 1861 |
| Species: |
R. hippoglossoides
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| Binomial name | |
| Reinhardtius hippoglossoides (Walbaum, 1792)
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| Synonyms | |
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Contents
Where the Greenland Halibut Lives
This fish lives in very deep parts of the ocean. It can be found between about 200 and 1600 meters (650 to 5,250 feet) deep. You can find Greenland halibut in the northern Atlantic Ocean and the northern Pacific Ocean.
What the Greenland Halibut Looks Like
The Greenland halibut is a flatfish. This means its body is flat, like a pancake. When it is a baby fish, its left eye moves. It ends up on the right side of its head! This helps it see when it lies flat on the seabed.
Fishing and Protecting Them
People catch Greenland halibut for food. They usually catch them by trawling, which uses large nets. Some groups, like Greenpeace, are concerned about how many Greenland halibut are being caught. They believe that too many are being fished, which could harm the fish population. This is why they have listed the Greenland halibut on their "seafood red list." However, others say that this idea is based on information that is hard to check.
Images for kids
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Close-up of the head, showing the strong teeth of this predatory species (upperside of fish on left, underside on right)
 | Janet Taylor Pickett |
 | Synthia Saint James |
 | Howardena Pindell |
 | Faith Ringgold |
