John Dory

(Zeus faber)

Common Names

Peter's Fish, Peter's Dory or simply Dory.

Description

This is a scaleless, plate-like fish, with a circular, laterally compressed body, with a big head, huge mouth and a long filamentous dorsal fin. They are usually greenish-brown to olive or grey on the back, lighter on the flank and belly, with a large black spot or blotch on each flank.

Size

The John Dory commonly weigh between 0.6-1.4 kilos, occassionally up to 2.0 kilos, and rare giants up to 4.0 kilos have been reported.

Habitat

They are found in cool and temperate waters all over the world. In Australia they are confined to the southern coastline from about south Queensland to South Australia, with sporadic appearances in Tasmania and the south of Western Australia. They are also found in New Zealand. They frequent shallow bays and large estuaries, and are found far offshore over deep reefs close to the continental shelf. Near shore they favour areas of mud or sand with seagrass or ribbon weed coves.

Feeding

They are a predator, and will slowly drift into the middle of a school of small fish then suddenly grab their prey. They feed on yellowtail, slimy mackerel, and mullet.

Fishing Techniques

They are best caught by bait-fishing using trolling baits of garfish, pike, tailor, mackerel or mullet. If using live bait, trim the rear tail off to slow the bait dowm. Tackle should include 3/0-7/0 hooks, 3.0-15.0 kilo fishing line. If you prefer using lures, try a jig.

Eating

They are rated as one of the best table fish around. Their flesh is pearly white, firm and extremely fine-grained. Once filletted, there are no bones on the flesh.