Visit Our Diving Center
View our Accommodation
  • Diving
    • Diving Courses
    • Freediving
    • Accompanied Diving
    • Unaccompanied Diving
    • Diving Pricelist
  • Accommodation
  • Special Offers
  • Our Services
  • Dive Sites
  • About Gozo
    • Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Online Shop Dive Checkin
  • EN
  • Diving
    • Diving Courses
    • Freediving
    • Accompanied Diving
    • Unaccompanied Diving
    • Diving Pricelist
  • Accommodation
  • Special Offers
  • Our Services
  • Dive Sites
  • About Gozo
    • Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
20. 04. 202120. 04. 2021

The mysterious Zeus faber

Home » Blog » The mysterious Zeus faber
Zeus faber_1
Zeus faber is a demersal coastal marine fish with a laterally compressed olive-yellow body which has a large dark spot, and long spines on the dorsal fin.
Zeus faber_2

What’s so strange in a name?

To start with, even the scientific Latin name is peculiar.  It is part Greek (Zeus, the father of the Greek Gods) and part Latin (faber is Latin for “blacksmith”).

In English, the common name for Zeus Faber is John Dory, probably originating from the French Jaune Dorée, meaning Gilded Yellow.

In Germany, Zeus faber is generally known as Heringskönig, meaning ‘King of the Herrings’, most probably since fishermen used to catch it in nets together with schools of herring.

In New Zealand, Māori know it as kuparu, and on the East Coast of the North Island, they gave some to Captain James Cook on his first voyage to New Zealand in 1769.  Several casks of them were pickled.

In most other countries, Zeus faber is knows as St Peter’s Fish, a name coming from an ancient legend.  It is said that St. Peter picked this fish up from the Sea of Galilee, but instead of keeping it he returned it to the water.  The black mark on the side of the John Dory is said to be St. Peter’s thumbprint.

How large is a Zeus faber?

The John Dory grows to a maximum size of 65 cm and 5 kg in weight.  It has 10 long spines on its dorsal fin and 4 spines on its anal fin.  It has microscopic, sharp scales that run around the body.  The fish is an olive-green colour with a silver white belly and has a dark spot on its side.  Its eyes are near the top of its head.  It has a flat, round body shape and is a poor swimmer.

How does a Zeus faber catch its prey if it is such a poor swimmer?

The John Dory catches prey by stalking it, then extending its jaw forward in a tube-like structure to suck the fish in with some water.  The water then flows out through the gills; the pre-maxillary bone, the only tooth-bearing bone in this fish, is used to grind the food.

The John Dory has a high laterally compressed body – its body is so thin it can hardly be seen from the front.  The large eyes at the front of the head provide it with the binocular vision and depth perception it needs to catch prey.  It has a large dark spot on both sides which it uses to flash an “evil eye” if danger approaches.  This eye spot also confuses prey, which can then be sucked into its mouth.

It primarily eats smaller fish, especially schooling fish such as sardines. Occasionally it eats squid and cuttlefish.

Its main predators are sharks such as the dusky shark, and large bony fish.

Zeus faber_7

How many years can a Zeus faber live?

John Dories are ready to reproduce when they are 3 to 4 years of age.  Reproduction happens around the end of winter.  They are substrate scatterers, which means that they release sperm and eggs into the water to fertilize.  The typical lifespan in the wild is about 12 years.

Zeus faber_4
Where can I see a Zeus faber in the wild?

Zeus faber are benthopelagic coastal fish, found on the coasts of Africa, South East Asia, New Zealand, Australia, the coasts of Japan, on the coasts of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea.  They live near the seabed, living in depths from 5 metres to 360 metres. They are normally solitary.

The photos of these Zeus Faber were taken around Gozo, precisely at Ras il-Ħobż and Inland Sea.

Related posts

Atlantis Boot 2023
22. 12. 202212. 01. 2023

Atlantis Gozo at Boot Dusseldorf 2023

Boot Dusseldorf 2023 Hall 12/A31.8 Once again, Atlantis Gozo will participate with our stand at Boot Dusseldorf starting on 21...

Read More
Merry Christmas
16. 12. 2021

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year 2022

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year 2022 Wishing you all the best ! Happy Holidays from the Atlantis Gozo...

Read More
Rebreather Corner - satisfied guests
25. 07. 2021

Latest News July 2021 – Satisfied Guests

Coming across satisfied guests may not be that difficult after all.  Being thanked or rewarded for your efforts is really...

Read More

Reviews

Tolles Center für Sport- Tec und Rebreather Taucher. Bestens zu empfehlen 😃, immer wieder gerne hier 👍.
Manfred Kleemann
Manfred Kleemann
2022-05-23T05:51:17+0000
Our club goes out to Malta/Gozo every year and Atlantis was by far the best centre we have dealt with. The communication building up to the trip was great. So helpful. Our club has a mixed range of diver levels and Atlantis made sure that all our levels was covered. On arrival the welcome was very warming. They couldn’t have been more helpful. Once the admin and kit issue was done we was on our way. The end I’ve every day the team was on hand to assist us making sure we was all prepared for the following day. Nitrox, stages, fills and so on. The end of our trip the staff even came to the apartment to say farewell and seen us off. One of our club members left their regs by mistake but the team contacted us and meet us at the ferry port to return them. Thank you so much!!! We will be returning next year.
Alex Lucas
Alex Lucas
2022-04-21T07:36:58+0000
Highly recommended dive centre! We got all needed services in very friendly atmosphere. Thank you!!
Gedimas Usack
Gedimas Usack
2021-11-27T20:24:01+0000
I did a package deal of 10 dives with Atlantis and was extremely impressed from the get go. The center was very well equipped and maintained and the staff were awesome, totally committed to making sure everyone was welcomed and having fun whilst keeping a high level of professionalism. The guides (Denis, Georgia, Apollo, George) were very knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend Atlantis to anyone looking for a solid and trustworthy center with fair prices. P.s. Go in November, its way less busy and the vis is still good!
Jakob Wayne Víkingur Robertson
Jakob Wayne Víkingur Robertson
2021-11-18T01:22:10+0000
awesome place awesome people!
Richard Binks
Richard Binks
2021-10-20T05:07:13+0000
‹
›

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news and special offers from the Atlantis Gozo Diving team! By doing so you agree to our Privacy Policy

Mailchimp
Sending
  • About Atlantis
    • Careers
    • Affiliates
  • Diving
    • Diving Courses
    • Diving Pricelist
    • PADI Courses
    • CMAS & VDST Courses
    • BSAC Courses
    • Speciality Courses
    • Accompanied Diving
    • Unaccompanied Diving
    • Technical Diving
    • Diving Equipment Rental
    • Freediving
  • Dive Sites
  • Holiday Services
    • Accommodation
    • Airport Transfers
    • Car Hire
    • Tours
  • Special Offers
  • Gozo
  • Gallery
    • Photo Credits
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 Atlantis Diving Center. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Refund Policy

Website designed & developed by