John Dory

JOHN DORY

Zeus Faber

VIDEO

RECORD:  4.95kg, A. Rae, Cape Terawhiti, 1986.

DESCRIPTION:

Among the best eating fish out there, John Dory are highly prized by the spearo despite being an easy target.  A very distinctive fish, it is dark-olive to brown and highly compressed making it nearly invisible from the surface.   It has a large spot on it's sides and large dorsal spines.

MoF REGULATIONS:

Size:                                    -

Bag limit:                           Part of 20 finfish limit

HABITAT & FEEDING HABITS:

JDs are a carnivorous fish commonly found on weedlines and kelp beds.  They are a poor swimmer and rely on stealth and camoflage to stalk their prey of small baitfish.  When within range they extend their bellows-like mouth and suck in their dinner.

HUNTING TECHNIQUES:

JDs are a very easy fish to shoot as they cannot dart off like other fish can and their main defence strategy seems to be to turn side-on and try to scare predators away with their eye-like target/spot.

The hardest bit is trying to find them.  JDs are a master of diguise and are almost impossible to see when you are above them.  For this reason you should dive down to the bottom and look for them at their level.  Anywhere you see schools of baitfish a JD is likely not far off.  John Dory also respond particuarly well to flasher rigs which mimic their prey.