halibut

Halibut are flatfish, genus Hippoglossus, from the family of the right-eye flounders (Pleuronectidae). Other flatfish also contain the word halibut in their common (non-scientific) names. The word is derived from haly (holy) and butte (flat fish), for its popularity on Catholic holy days. Halibut are demersal fish which live in the North Pacific (Pacific halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis) and the North Atlantic oceans (Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus). They are highly regarded food fish.