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Dory (Cyttus novaezealandiae) — Cyttidae

Dory

Cyttus novaezealandiae
Family: Cyttidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dory (Cyttus novaezealandiae) is a saltwater fish of the family Cyttidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–450.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The New Zealand dory is a deep-water fish of the family Cyttidae, related to the dories, from the temperate waters around southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with large eyes and a highly protrusible mouth. It lives on the continental shelf and slope. As a bottom and midwater hunter it shoots its protrusible mouth forward to suck up small fishes, crustaceans and squid. The New Zealand dory is a valued commercial food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dory?

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

Where does the Dory live?

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

How big does the Dory get?

The Dory grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Dory dangerous to humans?

No, the Dory is harmless to humans.

Is the Dory edible?

Yes, the Dory is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nieuw-Zeelandse zonnevis sourced
English name
Dory verified
Scientific name
Cyttus novaezealandiae
Family
Cyttidae
Other names
New Zealand dory; New Zealand silver dory; Silver dory verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 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
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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

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