John Dory

Zeus faber

 

John Dory are dark brown as juveniles and silvery as they become adults. They grow to about 2 feet in length, and weigh about a pound and a half. Although they are generally a by-catch, they are a highly valued fish, and generally grab a good price. They are found in the greatest concentrations around southern Australia and New Zealand, although they can be found from the Eastern Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific Ocean. The spawn during late summer through autumn. It is during this time that they are harvested in greatest numbers. They live at depths of near the surface of the water to about 450 feet. They eat squid, cuttlefish, and sardines. Their biggest predators are shark and other boney fish.

 

John Dory is also known as St. Peters Fish. As the story goes, St. Peter and Jesus were trying to come up with their money to pay the tax collectors. Jesus told Peter to cast his line into the water, and take a coin out of the mouth of the first fish that he caught. Peter caught a fish, and took a 4 Drachma Coin out of its mouth, which paid for their taxes. To this day, this fish has the “thumb print” that St. Peter left on the fish when he caught it. This story is found in the Bible, Matthew, chapter 17, verses 24-27.

 

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Gary's Source:  New Zealand

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