Sherkin Comment 2004 – Issue No. 38 ...... Page 25

tember. It seems unlikely that many when more than 70% of the total anglers specifically target John Dory; number of specimens were recorded. most specimens are probably cap- Specimens have been recorded dur- tured during the course of general ing most months of the year, apart angling trips. from December – February, May and October. All of the specimens, apart Sailfin Dory from one (from the NW coast), were DORIES recorded off the SW coast, at depths (Zenopsis conchifer) ranging from 100–290m. The speci- mens exhibited wide variation in size: (Pisces: Zeidae) in Irish & NW European Seas At first glance, the Sailfin Dory 18–58cm (Mean T.L. 39.4cm) and would appear to be very similar to the 75–2300g (Mean Wt 785.5g). John Dory. Indeed, it is possible that the species may not be recognised by anglers or commercial fishermen in Red Dory (Cyttopsis roseus) Irish waters. Apart from its distinc- The Red Dory is a relatively small tive silvery-grey colouration and the species (maximum 31cm T.L.) and is absence of a large spot or thumb mark easily distinguished from the John on the sides, the concave profile of Dory and Sailfin Dory by its red the head over the eye is the main dis- colouration and spinous dorsal fin tinguishing morphological feature lacking long filaments. The Red Dory (the profile of the head over the eye is Photos: © Declan Quigley normally inhabits deeper water either straight or convex in the John John Dory (Zeus faber) Sailfin Dory (Zenopsis conchifer) Red Dory (Cyttopsis roseus) (150–730m) than the latter two Dory). The Sailfin Dory does not species. The main distribution of the appear to grow as big as the John Red Dory in the eastern Atlantic is southwards via the Azores to south- fish of epicurean notoriety since Dory; the maximum reported length from Morocco southwards to South- By Declan T.G. Quigley ern Africa (where it overlaps with a Roman times; it is well flavoured and weight is 80cm and 3.2kg respec- ern Africa, and in the western Atlantic closely related species – Z. capensis). with a good flaky texture. However, tively. The species also appears to from the Nova Scotia (rarely) south- THE Zeidae is a small family of It has also been recorded from the its solitary habits are such that land- inhabit deeper water (50–600m) than wards to about northern South marine fishes comprising 7 genera Indian Ocean, Australia, New ings in Northern European waters are the John Dory. America. In the western Indian and 13 species worldwide. However, Zealand, Japan and Korea. However small, but what is captured almost Prior to 1966, when two juvenile Ocean, it is found from South Africa in NW European seas, the family is it is not found in the Western Atlantic. always commands a premium price. specimens were recorded off the Por- northwards to Somalia and off the SW represented by only 3 genera includ- While the John Dory is known to Although anglers occasionally cap- tuguese coast, the species was coast of India. It has also been ing 3 species: John Dory (Zeus spawn in the western part of the Eng- ture John Dory, it is not regarded as a unknown from NW European seas. recorded from the western Pacific: faber), Sailfin Dory (Zenopsis lish Channel, (southern ?) Irish Sea prime angling fish. The Irish Speci- However, since then, the species Japan, eastern Australia and New conchifer) and Red Dory (Cyttopsis and Bay of Biscay during the summer men Fish Committee has recorded would appear to have been gradually Zealand. roseus). While the John Dory is rela- months (June to August), it is not only 48 specimens, weighing extending its range northward via Prior to 1963, when the Red Dory tively well known in Irish waters, the known to spawn further northwards, upwards of 1.8kg, since 1960. The Portugal (1966), NW Spain (1970), N was recorded for the first time off SW other two species, which have only although newly hatched pelagic lar- largest specimen, weighing 3.4kg, Spain (1974), Gulf of Gascony Portugal, the species was unknown been recorded for the first time in vae have been recorded, albeit rarely, was captured in Killala Bay, Co (1975), Bay of Biscay (1975), NW from NW European seas. However, recent decades, appear to be rare. off the west coast of Ireland. Sexual Mayo in August 1984. However, the France (1976) and into Irish (1980) since then, the species appears to have maturity is usually attained in the 4th vast majority (96%) of specimens and SW UK (1995) waters. Indeed, a been gradually extending its range year at a length of 40cm. Males rarely weighed <3.0kg. Incidentally, the UK single specimen of Sailfin Dory was John Dory (Zeus faber) northward via NW Spain (1968–76), grow longer than 45cm but females rod and line record, weighing 5.4kg, recently (2002) recorded from Ice- The John Dory, also known as St into NW French, SW Irish and SW may survive up to 12 years, attaining was captured off Newhaven, E Sus- landic waters. The latter specimen Peter’s Fish, is unmistakable with its UK waters (1987–95). Although only a length of 90cm and a weight of 8kg. sex, in 1977. represents the most northerly record deep, flattened head and body, mas- 3 specimens have been recorded to Most of the John Dory found in Figure 1 shows the maritime from the NE Atlantic to date. Else- sive protrusible jaws, a series of long date, it is interesting to note that two northern European seas are thought to county distribution of both rod and where, the main distribution of the dorsal spines (9–11) extending into of these of specimens were captured be first or second year wanderers and line caught specimen (1960–2004) Sailfin Dory in the eastern Atlantic is long filaments of soft trailing tissue, during 1993, which coincided with large dories appear to be rare outside and commercially caught John Dory from Morocco southwards to South- and a double series of sharp spines the large influx of Sailfin Dory men- their northern-most spawning areas. (live weight landings 1998–2004). ern Africa, and in the western Atlantic (bucklers) running along the belly and tioned above. Two of the specimens Indeed, during the year 2000, the More than 75% of commercial land- (where Z. faber is absent) from the back. It is generally yellowish brown were recorded in July and one in overall size frequency range of com- ings occurred along the south and Nova Scotia southwards to Virginia, in colour with a conspicuous black April. All of the specimens were mercially caught John Dory in Irish southwest coasts (Cos Waterford, and from Uruguay southwards to spot (or thumb mark), surrounded by recorded from the SW coast, at depths waters was 21–51cm but most land- Cork & Kerry). However, in contrast, northern Argentina. In the western a narrow yellow border on each side ranging from <200–440m. The speci- ings were in the range 23–39cm. only 23% of rod and line caught spec- Indian Ocean, it is found from South of the body. An inshore species, usu- mens were relatively small in size: However, apart from the fact that imens were taken in this area. Indeed, Africa northwards to Somalia, and off ally occurring at depths of 5 –150m 11.1–19.0cm (Mean T.L. 14.7cm) and reported landings have significantly nearly 65% of the specimens were the SW coast of India. It has also and occasionally down to 400m, on 50–150g (Mean Wt 100g). increased over the last couple of taken off the northwest coast (Co been recorded from Indonesia but not sandy ground and areas of weed-cov- decades (from c50 tonne in 1990 to Mayo and Donegal). from the Pacific. ered rocks, but sometimes found 306 tonnes in 2004), little is known Figure 2 shows the monthly fre- Since it was captured for the first Declan T.G. Quigley, South-West sheltering under floating objects. about the biology or the state of this quency distribution of rod and line time in 1980, a total of 11 specimens Smolts Ltd., Carrigadrohid Although a feeble swimmer, the relatively valuable stock in Irish caught specimens. All of the speci- have been recorded. There would Hatchery, Macroom, Co Cork. John Dory is a highly efficient preda- waters (€913k first sale value in mens were taken between May and appear to have been a particularly Mobile: 087-9080521; tor. Its strongly laterally compressed 2004). The John Dory has been October, but the vast majority (96%) strong influx of Sailfin Dory into Email: [email protected] body makes it almost inconspicuous highly regarded as an excellent food were taken between June and Sep- Irish waters between 1993 and 1995 head-on and allows it to slowly stalk its unsuspecting prey prior to engulf- ing it from what might appear to be a safe distance with a split-second extension of its siphoning jaws. While it primarily feeds fish, particu- larly shoaling and demersal species, including herring, scad, sand eels, young gadoids, anchovies, and pilchard, it occasionally eats crus- tacea and cephalopods. Although it sometimes forms small schools, its steltful predatory behaviour probably explains why it normally lives a soli- tary existence. The John Dory is a wide ranging species in the eastern Atlantic; known from as far north as Norway and southwards to Maderia, including the Mediterranean and Black Sea, and Figure 1. John Dory Capture Locations: % Rod-Caught Specimens vs Commercial Catch Figure 2. Specimen John Dory (1960-2004): Monthly Frequency Distribution