Home · Cyttidae · Australian silver dory
Australian silver dory (Cyttus australis) — Cyttidae

Australian silver dory

Cyttus australis
Family: Cyttidae

The Australian silver dory (Cyttus australis) is a saltwater fish of the family Cyttidae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
47 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–350.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The silver dory is a deep-water fish of the family Cyttidae from the temperate waters around southern Australia. The species grows to about 47 cm and has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with large eyes and a strongly protrusible mouth. It lives on the continental shelf and slope, often in schools near the bottom. With its suddenly far-protruding mouth it sucks up small fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans. The silver dory is a valued commercial fish taken by trawling. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian silver dory?

The Australian silver dory has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Australian silver dory live?

The Australian silver dory lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Australian silver dory get?

The Australian silver dory grows to a maximum of about 47 cm.

Is the Australian silver dory dangerous to humans?

No, the Australian silver dory is harmless to humans.

Is the Australian silver dory edible?

Yes, the Australian silver dory is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuidelijke zilverdoré sourced
English name
Australian silver dory verified
Scientific name
Cyttus australis
Family
Cyttidae
Other names
Bastard dory; Boarfish; Red dory; Silver dory verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
350.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cyttus

More from the family Cyttidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →