Madeira Canary Islands Azores – Fishes Dr. Peter Wirtz

species and live to only three or four years of age. The sticky eggs are spawned over marine plants. Large
photo Peter Wirtz, insert Pedro Monteiro.
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Dories (Zeidae)
John dory (Zeus faber)
Up to 80 cm long. Madeira, Canary Islands, Azores. 10 – 400 m depth.
The greatly elongated dorsal fin rays are typical for the species. The German name “Heringskönig”, i.e. king
of the herrings, originated from the idea that this species leads schools of herring. It is often caught together
with herring because it preys on them (and on other fish). It slowly approaches and suddenly sucks them up
with its greatly protruding mouth. Young animals live in groups, adults are solitary. Photo Peter Wirtz.
Boar fishes (Caproidae)
Boarfish (Capros aper)
Up to 15 cm long. Madeira, Canary Islands, Azores. 25 – 600 m depth.
Boar fishes usually live below 50 m depth, most commonly between 100 and 400 m. Divers therefore rarely
see them. Occasionally, however, large schools turn up in shallow water. The large eyes of this species are
one of the features indicating that it normally lives in dark areas. Photo Peter Wirtz.
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Snipe fishes (Macroramphosidae)
Snipefish (Macroramphosus scolopax)