What dory fish looks like and where it is found, its life cycle and recipes

The diversity of fish living on Earth is enormous. Some of them can be beautiful, others can be dangerous, and others have tasty and healthy meat. One of the most unusual fish is dory, which does not look attractive in appearance, but its meat contains a huge amount of vitamins and microelements. Moreover, people who have tried this fish think that it tastes great.

What kind of fish is this

Dory is a member of the class ray-finned, the order of sunfishes and the sunfish family. What is the origin of the name of this fascinatingly mysterious creature? It is believed that it comes from the French word (doree), which is translated into Russian as golden or gilded, which corresponds to the color of the species. Dory has other names, such as St. Peter's fish or blacksmith fish.

Appearance and dimensions

Dory is a predatory species that lives in great depths, as evidenced by its flat body shape. This type of fish is also considered environmentally friendly because its habitat is so far below that pollutants and other chemicals cannot reach it. This explains why its flesh is so white and tasty - like halibut. It also contains few bones, which are such a turn-off for gourmets.

The body of the fish is forty cm long and weighs one and a half kg; As the individual ages, the weight increases. A whole dory on the counter is not the most attractive sight: a specimen with a large head, a disproportionate body and protruding eyes. The skin is usually gray and slippery, with almost no scales. However, inside it has white and juicy flesh without any tiny bones.

Varieties

There are two different types of dories:

1. Black dory (also known as Sunfish or Oreo-dory) are commonly found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Mediterranean Sea, off the coasts of New Zealand, Japan, Oceania and Australia. Occasionally it is caught in the western part of the Black Sea and Crimea. It lives at a depth of about 200 meters below sea level; that is why it is associated with deep-sea fish. Its maximum length is 60 cm and its maximum weight is 4 kg.Its coloration distinguishes it from other species - the body is brownish-green above with an almost black back, and the belly is light in color. There are stripes on the fins and two distinct circles on each side of the body. In addition, this fish is not bug-eyed like most other species. To transport around the world, this type of fish must first be frozen.
2. The South African sunshine is a type of dory that is larger than the black dory. It grows up to 90 cm in length and weighs up to 6 kg, and has small and soft scales. The dorsal fin is molded at the base and equipped with pointed spines. It lives in the Pacific Ocean, especially near the coastline of South Africa, the Cape of Holy Hope, and the coast of Mozambique.

Lifetime

The lifespan of this type of fish, regardless of breed, is usually twelve years or more.

Habitat

Doris live in the Pacific and Indian oceans, namely off the coasts of New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Mozambique, Oceania and South Africa. Occasionally they are also found in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The shape of their body suggests that they live at considerable depth.

Life cycle

The existence of any fish begins with a tiny egg and ends with a fully grown creature. The same is true for dories. After hatching, young dories gather in large groups. As the fish mature, they spread out and lead a solitary lifestyle. Mature individuals are rather clumsy and mostly remain near the seabed, sometimes swimming in the middle layers of water.

Diet

Dory fish is a predatory marine species. He especially loves herring or sardines, but will not refuse any other small fish. She also loves to eat squid or any type of crustacean. The hunting style is very calculated; First, the individual follows a school of small fish, and then quickly captures the gaping prey in its mouth.

Are there any enemies?

The sunfish is not a top predator in its environment, so it has many natural enemies. As for the main lovers of eating sunfish meat, among them are sharks and any other large predatory aquatic inhabitants.

Reproduction

The dory is an oviparous fish, meaning that it lays eggs which are then fertilized by the male. The breeding process of dories begins with their mating. When the male and female are ready to breed, they begin to swim around each other and make movements with their fins to attract each other's attention. The male then selects a female and presses himself against her side to release sperm. The female then lays eggs in the water and the male fertilizes them.

The eggs usually remain in the water for a period of several days to several weeks, depending on the temperature of the water. When the eggs hatch, larvae emerge and swim in the water. After some time, the larvae turn into small fish, which independently begin to obtain their own food.

Beneficial features

Dory is an attractive food choice for those who have weight problems or those who want to avoid weight gain because it is very low in fat and carbohydrates. In addition, athletes and fitness enthusiasts will appreciate that dory is rich in proteins that are quickly absorbed in the body.This makes dory an excellent source of nutrition before or after physical activity, aiding recovery from exercise and injury.

Dory fish fillets are an excellent source of nutrients including:

1. Proteins: 19 g.
2. Fat: 2 g (of which 0.5 g is saturated fatty acids).
3. Omega-3 fatty acids: 250-500 mg (depending on the type of dory).
4. Potassium: 360 mg.
5. Phosphorus: 205 mg.
6. Magnesium: 30 mg.
7. Vitamin B12: 2.5 mcg.
8. Niacin: 6 mg.
9. Vitamin E: 0.3 mg.

Protein is essential for tissue growth and repair, and omega-3 fatty acids can help improve heart health, reduce inflammation, and even improve your mood. Potassium, phosphorus and magnesium are important minerals for healthy bones and muscles, while vitamin B12 helps maintain nervous system and blood health. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.

The subsequent benefit of this product is that dory fish is excellent at regulating blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for those suffering from diabetes.

It is worth emphasizing a useful characteristic that is very important for pregnant women: sunfish meat is rich in folic acid, which helps the embryo grow. In addition, consuming fish will improve digestion and increase appetite, so people suffering from immune system problems should be in favor of including it in their diet.

Eating dory fish meat will increase your lifespan and restore healthy skin, as well as flush out toxins from the body. It also reduces the risk of developing tumors.

Schoolchildren, students and generally all people appreciate that eating fish will help improve memory and cognitive abilities.In addition, dory can help strengthen tooth enamel and bones, which is especially important for those who are still growing.

In general, if you eat it properly and in small quantities, then there will be no negative consequences from eating dory. However, it is important to note that if there is a fish allergy or the product is contaminated, it is best to avoid consuming it. In addition, you should not consume dairy products at the same time as dory, otherwise you can expect poisoning. It is important to maintain moderation in portions and for this reason you should not eat more than three hundred grams of this fish in one sitting.

What does fish taste like?

Dory is a very healthy product, although it looks unattractive. However, what does it taste like? As mentioned above, it lives in a clean environment at great depths, therefore its meat is also very clean. Thanks to this, the taste of the fillet is simply exceptional, it is soft and delicately sweet.

The calorie content of this type of fish varies significantly and depends on the method of its preparation. There are different cooking options, but frying is the most high-calorie option. One hundred grams of this dish contains about two hundred kilocalories. Baked and stewed dory contain half this amount, while raw or boiled dory has the least amount of kilocalories per hundred grams.

Recommendations for selection and storage

Selecting quality dory fish is not an easy task. If a person is not familiar with the standards for determining freshness, then there is a risk of purchasing spoiled fillets. To make sure your purchase is fresh, do the following:

• make sure that the frost on the frozen carcass does not accumulate too much;
• check for damage to the body;
• pay attention to whether there is a yellowish tint on the abdomen (indicating damage) or whether it is simply white;
• see if the tail and fins are intact.

Sometimes when purchasing a dory you will find a fish known as the cream dory, however this species is completely different from the sunfish. The taste and advantages of the creamy variety cannot be compared with the taste and advantages of the original variety. Additionally, this particular fish is found in man-made Asian reservoirs. In this regard, it is very important to inspect each specimen displayed on the counter before purchasing in order to choose the best quality dory and not be deceived.

Storing the carcass is a simple task; all you have to do is place the fillets in the refrigerator and they can be stored there for up to three days. If meat is placed in the freezer, it can be stored there for up to six months.

Cooking recipes

Before cooking any fish, it is important to wash it thoroughly, gut it and remove the fins, head and skin (if necessary). Care should be taken when handling dories as they have very sharp fins that can cause serious harm. The method of preparation is not important, as they are all simple to implement and allow you to create delicious and nutritious dishes. Here are some recipes for making dori.

In the oven

A simple recipe for cooking in the oven.

Ingredients:

1. 1 dory.
2. 1 lemon.
3. 2 tbsp. olive oil.
4. 2 cloves of garlic.
5. 1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley.
6. Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
2. Cut the lemon into rings and finely chop the garlic.
3. Wash the dory and dry it with paper towels. Sprinkle salt and black pepper inside the carcass to taste.
4. Place the lemon halves inside the carcass along with finely chopped garlic.
5. Place the dory in a baking tray, previously greased with olive oil.
6. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
7. Bake the dori in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

In a frying pan

Ingredients:

1. 2 dory fillets.
2. 2 tablespoons olive oil.
3. 2 cloves garlic, minced.
4. Salt and pepper to taste.
5. Lemon juice.

Instructions:

1. Remove scales and innards from the dory, rinse under cold water and dry with a paper towel.
2. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add olive oil and garlic, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Place the carcass in the pan and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until it turns golden. During cooking, you can sprinkle the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
4. When ready, remove the meat from the pan and sprinkle with lemon juice before serving.

Serve the finished dory with fresh vegetables or herbs of your choice.

Grilled

This method is said to be healthier than barbecuing and the flavor of the fish remains unchanged. First you need to make longitudinal cuts in the pre-washed fish, then rub it with marinade and let it simmer for about half an hour.

Once the fish has absorbed all the spices and juices, place it on the grill and cook one side, then flip to cook the other side. This whole process will not require much time, effort or expense, but will bring great pleasure and benefit.

In a slow cooker

How to cook in a slow cooker.

Ingredients:

1. 2 dory fish.
2. 1 onion.
3. 2 cloves of garlic.
4. 2 tablespoons soy sauce.
5. 1 tablespoon honey.
6. 2 tablespoons olive oil.
7. 1 tablespoon rice vinegar.
8. 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger.
9. 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric.
10. Salt and pepper to taste.
11. Green onions for serving.

Instructions:

1. Peel and chop the onion and garlic. Chop the green onions to serve.
2. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, olive oil, rice vinegar, ground ginger, ground turmeric, salt and pepper.
3. Place the dori in a bowl and rub the marinade on both sides. Leave for 10-15 minutes to marinate.
4. Turn the multicooker to broil mode and heat it up. Place the fish in the slow cooker and fry on each side until golden brown (about 3-4 minutes on each side).
5. Switch the multicooker to stewing mode and close the lid. Cook the fish for 15-20 minutes.

Interesting Facts

The dory fish is a very mysterious creature, here are some of the most intriguing facts about it6

1. This fish is called a symbol of prosperity. This opinion follows from the legend. Jesus did not have money to pay taxes, so he instructed his disciple Peter to go to the sea and catch fish at a predetermined place. He also asked him to bring back the first specimen he caught. Peter caught one and immediately brought it to Jesus, who took coins from its mouth and used them to pay taxes. This fish was a dory.
2. It is noteworthy that sunflower can be eaten by children as young as two years old without any negative consequences. However, all other seafood is not recommended for children of the same age. Dori should be served to babies only in small quantities. Thus, it becomes obvious how beneficial this fish is for humans.
3. All children are familiar with the animated film Finding Nemo, in which the main character has a fish companion named Dory.However, this character is in no way related to the real species of dory, but refers to a fish called the blue king surgeon. Therefore, you should not confuse these two types of aquatic inhabitants, since they have nothing in common.

Despite its unattractive appearance and lack of popularity among fish lovers and restaurant critics, dory fish has an extraordinary taste and numerous beneficial properties. It is versatile enough to suit all tastes and can be consumed in moderation without any harm. Thus, it is an excellent dietary product for athletes, ordinary people, children, the elderly or those suffering from diabetes or depression.