Fisheries Infosite

John Dory Auckland (East) (JDO1)
Maori name
Scientific name
Zeus faber

Physical characteristics

John Dory are silver-grey or light brown with green-brown wavy stripes and a central black spot with a silver ring around it. Females are larger than males, reaching a maximum length of 60 cm.

Life cycle

John Dory have a maximum age of 12 years. Males reach maturity at 23-29 cm length and females at 29-35 cm length. They are serial spawners with a spawning season from December-April on the north east coast, varying in other regions.


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. John Dory feed on small schooling species and larger reef fishes.

Key statistics
Recreational significance Medium
Customary significance Medium
Reported commercial catch1 (tonnes)
Quota value estimate2 (NZ$m)
Exports estimate2 (NZ$m)