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Exploring the beautiful nature of California


Marine Fish: Flounder (California Halibut)


Fishes are aquatic vertebrates that have fins, gills and scales. Gills are the part of the respiratory system that provide surface area for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide under water.

Fish are ectotherms, commonly referred to as 'cold-blooded', meaning their temperature is regulated by the temperature of their environment. They have a range of diets, being herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores. Some fish reproduce by laying eggs, while others reproduce by bearing live young.

California fish species reside in freshwater and coastal/marine waters. Coastal, or marine fish are an abundant and valuable resource. However, the ocean's supply is not limitless, and therefore careful planning and education must be undertaken to ensure the sustainability of the world's largest food source.
The california halibut is a type of flounder Flounder, the common name of some species of saltwater flatfish. Like other flatfish, the adult flounder has both eyes on one side of its head, and it swims and rests with this side of its body up. Flounders are bottom-dwellers, and feed on other fish, shrimp, crabs, and worms. They are found in almost all seas. The California halibut is a type of flounder

The California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) is a species of flounder that is found from Bodega Bay, California to Magdalena Bay, Baja California. They are also found as far north as the Quillayute River, British Columbia and a separate population occurs in the upper Gulf of California.

This is a large-toothed fish weighs from 6 to 50 pounds. The body of the California halibut is oblong and compressed. The head is small and the mouth large. The color is dark brown to black on the eyed side and white on the blind side. Although a member of the left-eyed flounder family, about 40 percent of California halibut have their eyes on the right side.
 Their numerous teeth, very large mouth and a high arch in the middle of the "top" side above the pectoral fin make them easily distinguishable from other flatfish. California Flounder can grow up to five feet long!

California halibut feed almost exclusively upon anchovies and similar small fishes. At times they are observed jumping clear of the water as they make passes at anchovy schools near the surface. Males first mature when 2 or 3 years of age, but females do not mature until 4 or 5. Female California halibut grow faster than male California halibut. A 22 inch female fish is about 5 years old and a 22 inch male is about 7 years old.

A 5 year old fish may be anywhere from 11 to 17 inches long. Spawning takes place in relatively shallow water during the months of April through July. Young hatch with eyes on each side of the head. One eye migrates to the other side as the young mature and the fish settle near the sea floor.
Flounder, the common name of some species of saltwater flatfish. Like other flatfish, the adult flounder has both eyes on one side of its head, and it swims and rests with this side of its body up. California halibut were first described in the San Francisco Bay in 1859 and have been a staple for anglers for the greater part of the last century. Although they range north to Washington, they are most abundant south of Bodega Bay. San Francisco Bay anglers may enjoy California halibut fishing year-round. Commercial and recreational anglers may catch them with hook-and-line gear within and outside the bay. Permitted commercial fishermen may catch California halibut with trawl nets outside of State waters.

California halibut are pursued by anglers throughout the year, but the best landings usually occur in the spring. In central and northern California fishing is best in summer and early fall. At that time California halibut move into shallow water to spawn. Drifting for halibut is the most successful fishing method with anglers using live anchovies, queenfish, white croakers, shiner perch or Pacific mackerel as bait.
 
 
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