COMMON NAME
John dory
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Zeus faber
LEGAL LENGTH & LIMIT
John Dory are included as your combined daily bag limit of fin fish. There are different amounts allowed depending on where you are in New Zealnd
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· Auckland Central and Challenger are 20 per person
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· South East Area, Southland Area, and Fiorlans Area are 30 per person
DESCRIPTION
These distinctive fish are cardboard thin and barely visible head on. They are the master of illusion. The high dorsal fin with its extended rays, and out spread tail are motionless in the water. The john dory’s colouration are silver-grey or light brown with green-brown wavy stripes and a central black spot with a silver ring around it.
HABITAT & FEEDING
The John Dory usually get there food by stalking it then shooting out a tube in its mouth to capture its prey. The John Dory eats a variety of fish, especially schooling fish, such as koharhu and babe snapper. Occasionally they eat squid They are a poor swimmer and rely on stealth and camouflage to stalk their prey of small baitfish.
Their predators are sharks, like the dusky shark, and other large bony fish.
John Dory are most commonly found around the inshore coastal waters of New Zealand north of Cook Strait. They are found in depths down to 300 m, but most commonly in depths of 50 m.
AGE & GROWTH
Typical life span is 12 years . john dory occasionally reach sizes in excess of half a meter in length. males reach maturity at 23-29 cm length and females at 2-35cm length Females are larger than males, reaching a maximum length of 60 cm.
FOOD QUALITY
John dory are delicious eating, has medium flakes and is white when cooked. It is suitable for most cooking methods and has good Omega-3 levels.
HUNTING TECHNIQUES
John dory are often found on the weed edge where small bait fish are found. They are easy to shoot as they don’t dart off like other fish. The hardest thing is spotting them, they are the master of camouflage. John dory also like flashers and will follow a burly trail.
WHERE TO SHOOT THE FISH
Dispatching john dory near the head is always best as it protect the fish fillets.
EQUIPMENT
Flashers like our in shore flasher as they are smaller and easy to manage. Any speargun will work but normally 70cm to 120cm is best.
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