Dory
Otolith description
The general otolith shape is lobate, two lobes at the ventral side and one dorsally, giving it the shape of a radiation hazard sign. The sulcus is straight and closed. The sulcus is raised above the surface of the inside. Ostium and cauda are not distinguishable. The lobes are rounded and slightly lobate. The anterior ventral lobe forms the rostrum and between the rostrum and below the dorsal lobe a small rounded antirostrum is visible. The surface of the inside, sulcus and outside is smooth. The posterior margin is indented at the cauda. The otolith is thick. The inside is flat, except for the raised sulcus at the inside and the outside is also flat. Otolith length usually does not exceed 3 mm.
When eroded the otoliths are rounded and the otoliths shape becomes almost triangular. The sulcus remains raised.
Fish length and distribution
Dory can grow up to 70 cm. Dory is (ZEUSFABE.TIF) found inshore in mid-water, living solitary or in small schools. It spawns in from June to August in the English Channel, this being its most northern spawning area (Wheeler, 1978, Nijssen and De Groot, 1987, Muus et al., 1999).
Dory is found along the Eastern Atlantic and North Sea coast. In the North Sea only specimens between 15 and 42 cm are found.
Sample origin
English Channel.