John Dory
What’s the story, John Dory?
The John Dory is found off the coast of Australia, usually around the continental shelf, which allows the fish to occupy waters of a variety of depth, starting with shallow and gradually descending to the ocean floor. It prefers to be in the depths, sometimes secluding itself in the sand, and only rising to the surface to feed. Mottled gold-olive in colour, the fish has ten long spines that extend out of its back and four underneath its body, their subtle movements determining its direction of motion.
“Its actual eyes look in two different directions”
Laterally compressed, the John Dory is incredibly slight when seen from the front or back, meaning a change in direction could render it near invisible. This shape-shifting quality is also evidenced by the dark spot in the centre of either side of the fish’s body, which confuses other fish, both predator and prey, as they mistake it for a large, all-seeing eye. Its actual eyes look in two different directions and allow a detailed understanding of depth. As someone who struggles with the idea of being perceived whilst also being hyperaware of their surroundings, I’m envious of the fish’s ability to conceal itself whilst surveying the ocean.
“incised into Oscar Scar Stone”
This invisibility also translates well to Gordon Young’s depiction of the John Dory as part of his Fish Trail (1992). Located in front of a doorstep, the opening leading to the tower of St Mary’s Church on Lowgate, the outline of the fish is only faintly visible where it was incised into Oscar Scar Stone some 30 years ago. Decades of footsteps have gradually eroded the fish over time, which serves as a visual reminder of the destructive practices inflicted by humans on our seas and their inhabitants.
Artist: Becky Gee
Fish Profile
Known as John Dory, St Pierre, or Peter's fish - Zeus faber
Conservation status
John Dory is a strange looking fish with a compressed olive-yellow body with a large dark spot on the side. It has a large mouth which it uses to suck in prey such as fish and shrimps.
The MCS confirms there is little known about John Dory and the IUCN rate it as Data deficient.
The MCS point out that there is concern for the biomass but ‘there is no targeted fishery for this species and no signs that fishing pressure is of concern’. They also highlight that otter trawls are likely to be causing damage to the seabed and that bycatch includes vulnerable species.
The Cornwall Good Seafood Guide comments: ‘Due to their strange shape young John Dory are easily caught in fishing gear and they can't easily escape through mesh or escape gaps’.