IMAGE by Peter Wirtz
One of my most favorite genera of fish are from the family Zeidae, which are also known as dories. Zenopsis conchifera or the Silvery John Dory was recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea. This species has several synonyms such as Z. ocellata, which can cause confusion. I use to find these as a fisheries observer. Z. conchifera is especially common on squid trips off the Atlantic continental shelf. Juveniles have nice spots all over their body, which they loose with age. Nothing is more impressive than a large adult Z. conchifera. From Practical Fishkeeping, UK:
Only one zeid, Zeus faber, commonly referred to as the John dory, is considered native to the Mediterranean Sea. Like other dories, the John dory is a commercially important species and it is widely consumed throughout the coastal Mediterranean region….An explanation for the increasing number of exotic fish species within the Mediterranean Sea is unclear at present. Increasing seawater temperature throughout the entire Mediterranean basin is considered by some to be one of the most likely reasons for the growing number of exotic species but it is likely that other factors are involved.
The single catch record of the silvery John dory within the Mediterranean Sea to date suggests that this species has only very recently invaded Mediterranean waters.
