Deformed Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis)

Observation: Near Cape Vancouver on Nelson Isl., about 7 miles SW of Tununak, I caught a halibut with a circle hook that went through its eye - that's why it looks gouged out, but part of its nose and upper lip appears missing. In 1990's I also have caught a halibut with its tail having no fin at all.

Alaska Department of Fish & Game Consult: (2016-06-24) Ted Meyers, Fish Pathologist writes, "The abnormality appears to be an upper and lower jaw deformity, and possibly a deformity of the eyes. The contents of the left eye of the fish have ulcerated from the eyeball suggesting severe trauma that ruptured the eye that likely is not be related to the jaw deformity. The right eye is sunken and has thickened peri-orbital tissue, likely another developmental anomaly. Most likely the jaw deformity (shortened upper mandible/snout; lower jaw line not normal either) is congenital, possibly occurring during embryogenesis. A similar deformity in salmonids has been described as “pug head” resulting from under development or hypoplasia of the upper jaw. Sub-optimal physical parameters during embryogenesis such as temperature have been implicated. Traumatic injury during juvenile development is also another possible cause of jaw deformity. Eye deformities are usually congenital as well." Source: ADF&G Fish Pathology Laboratory

LEO says: "No worries in consumption I would wager?" writes, Mike Brubaker (ANTHC), "That is correct Mike - no human health concern's," reply's Dr. Ted Meyers (ADF&G).

Resource:

Wikipedia – The North Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) are demersal fish, a highly regarded food fish from the family of the right-eye flounders (Pleuronectidae).