The John Dory is a type of sea fish that belongs to the same family as the Dover Sole. It has a distinctive oval body shape and large head with an arched back, giving it a unique appearance from other types of fish. You may have seen this fish in your local grocery store or at your favorite seafood restaurant before, but now you can learn all about it! In this post, we will discuss everything you need to know about the John Dory Fish so that you can make informed decisions when buying or cooking these delicious creatures.
One of the most interesting things about john dory fish is that they are considered to be tongue fish. This means that their tongues actually have taste buds, making them one of the very few types of fish with this feature. The reason for this is because the John Dory has a suction-like mouth which it uses to suck up small prey from sandy or muddy sea floors. It also possesses two sets of teeth so it can easily break through crustacean shells and other tough exteriors. They will eat just about anything in front of them including crabs, shrimp, mollusks, worms, urchins, and octopus if given the opportunity! While these creatures may look extremely strange due to their appearance and behavior, there is no denying that they are extremely delicious.
John Dory Fish have a very distinctive “mottled” or spotted color pattern which makes them easily recognizable among other types of fish. They also have very large eyes and mouths, earning the nickname “St Peter’s Fish” because it was said to be one of the first fishes caught by St Peter with his nets after Christ died on the cross (hence why you will sometimes see John Dorys referred to as St Peters). Their coloring varies depending upon their location in the water, but some specimens can grow up to 40 inches long! These creatures make an incredibly unique meal for any seafood lover who wants something different than traditional fish or shellfish options.
The History of its name “John Dory”
The origin of the name “John Dory” has been the subject of much debate and speculation. Some sources suggest that it may be a humorous variation of the word “dory,” which means “gilded” in French. Others believe that the name is derived from the character John Dory, who appears in an old English ballad. Another theory proposes that the “John” in the name comes from the French word “jaune“, meaning yellow, which could refer to the fish’s distinctive yellow color.
A more fanciful explanation for the name can be found in the book “An Antarctic Mystery” by Jules Verne, where it is claimed that the name “John Dory” is derived from “Janitore“, which means “door-keeper” in Latin. This is said to be a reference to St. Peter, who is believed to have brought a fish of this species to Jesus as a gift.
The John Dory is also known by several other names, including “Peter’s Fish” or “St. Pierre“. This is because the fish has long been associated with St. Peter, the fishermen’s patron saint. According to one legend, the dark spot on the fish’s side is believed to be the imprint of St. Peter’s thumb. On the north coast of Spain, the John Dory is commonly known as “San Martiño“.
Despite the various theories and legends surrounding the name of the John Dory, its unique appearance and delicious flavor have made it a popular seafood delicacy in many parts of the world.
John Dory’s Natural Habitat
“Benthopelagic” is a term used to describe a type of fish that lives close to the seabed, but also swims in open water. This means that benthopelagic fish are adapted to living in both shallow and deep waters, where they may hunt prey, find shelter, or navigate their environment. John Dory are considered benthopelagic fish because they are commonly found near the seabed but can also swim in open water.
As mentioned, John Dory are coastal fish found in several regions worldwide, including Africa, South East Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Europe. They are typically solitary creatures and can be found living in depths ranging from 5 meters to 360 meters. This means that John Dory are found in a wide range of ocean habitats, from shallow coastal waters to deeper offshore areas.
John Dory reaches reproductive maturity at around 3 or 4 years of age, typically at the end of winter. As substrate scatterers, they release sperm and eggs into the water for external fertilization. In the wild, John Dory has a typical lifespan of around 12 years.
When it comes to catching prey, the John Dory is an expert predator, using a unique hunting technique that involves stalking its prey before extending its jaw in a tube-like structure to suck the fish in along with some water. As the water flows out through the gills, the pre-maxillary bone, which is the only tooth-bearing bone in this fish, grinds up the food. In addition, the John Dory’s laterally compressed body is so thin that it is barely visible from the front. This, combined with its large eyes located at the front of the head, provides the fish with excellent binocular vision and depth perception, making it easier to catch prey. Interestingly, this fish’s eye spot also helps confuse its prey, further aiding in its ability to capture and consume food.
From Sea to Table: John Dory as a dish
This is just scratching the surface of everything you need to know about John Dory Fish. They are known for their distinctive appearance: a flat, oval-shaped body and a large, spiny head. They are also prized for their delicate, sweet-tasting flesh, which is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. While John Dory are not typically considered a game fish, they are often caught by commercial and recreational fishermen and are commonly found in seafood markets and restaurants.
These creatures are used in many different types of recipes, but they can be particularly tasty if baked with white wine and herbs. You will likely see them at your local grocery store or seafood restaurant fairly often, so the next time that you do make sure to pick some up for yourself!
John Dory is a type of sea fish – it belongs to the same family as Dover sole – has distinctive oval body shape + large head + arched back – suction-like mouth sucking prey on sandy/muddy seabeds – two sets of teeth breaking through crustacean shells & other tough exteriors.
The best-known method for cooking a full-size John Dory is with sea salt over direct heat on an open flame such as charcoal or wood. Over time this has become one of its most popular preparation methods but there are other ways too! For example, you could try it baked in olive oil which would give you something close to fried but much healthier! Or even go all out with some classic French recipes by cooking it with white wine and butter!
Another recipe that has gained popularity in recent years is one where you prepare a broth made from ginger, chili peppers, garlic, green onions, and soy sauce. Then cook your John Dory fillets over medium heat until they are done before placing them on top of stir-fried vegetables or noodles. You can even try this recipe out yourself by getting some fresh John Dory fish at your local supermarket or grocery store!
You could also go for something really simple like putting out some ketchup, hot sauce, and lemon wedges so people could just dress their own fish if desired (that’s what I would do). This way everyone gets exactly what they want and it’s easy to accommodate various dietary needs and preferences.
In addition, here are several famous John Dory dishes that are popular in different parts of the world. Here are some examples:
- John Dory with Fennel and Tomato – a classic French dish that features John Dory fillets served with sautéed fennel and tomato.
- Grilled John Dory with Herb Oil – a light and refreshing recipe that involves grilling John Dory fillets and drizzling them with a fresh herb oil made with parsley, basil, and chives.
- John Dory with Brown Butter and Capers – a simple yet delicious recipe that pairs John Dory fillets with a sauce made from browned butter, capers, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Pan-Fried John Dory with Lemon Butter Sauce – a popular recipe that involves pan-frying John Dory fillets and serving them with a tangy lemon butter sauce.
- John Dory with Shellfish and Saffron Broth – a Mediterranean-inspired dish that features John Dory served in a rich and flavorful shellfish and saffron broth.
However, these are just a few examples, as there are many ways to prepare John Dory depending on the cuisine and cooking style.