John Dory

ocean fish · clever hunter · weird body

Fake eyespot tricks prey. The John Dory has a large dark spot on its side that looks like an eye, but it's actually a trick to confuse smaller fish into thinking the danger is coming from the wrong direction.

Eyes work like humans. Its big forward-facing eyes give it binocular vision and depth perception, just like you have, which helps it be a super accurate predator.

Flat and yellowish. The John Dory's body is squeezed flat from side to side and colored olive-yellow, which helps it hide in coastal ocean waters.

Lives on the seafloor. It's a demersal fish, which means it hangs out on or near the bottom of shallow coastal seas around the world.

Sucks up dinner fast. When prey swims too close, the John Dory opens its enormous mouth like a vacuum and scoops the smaller fish right in.