Pilot fish, so named for their habit of swimming ahead of sharks. A distinctive, striped fish of the Mediterranean where it is mainly found around the Balearics and Malta. It is good for either grilling or poaching, having firm white flesh.
"Priest fish." Stargazer, a fish common in the Mediterranean. Useful in soups and stews and can be fried. The sharp, spiny dorsal fins must be removed before cooking. The eyes are set right on top of the head, gazing skyward, hence the English name for this fish.
Weever or dragon fish. A marine fish with poisonous spines. Alec, of Padstow Angling Centre tells me that the greater weever is one of the finest fishes to eat. This is a place that knows its fish, so I look forward to trying it as soon as I can.
Monkfish (US: angler fish). A fish with a sweet flavour and succulent firm flesh but with the ugliest appearance imaginable. It is found in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, in coastal waters of north western Europe. It can be recognised by its large head and fan-shaped fins. The fins and the operculum are spiny. It can be eaten fried or in soup. The larger fish often have better flavour. It has a hideous head, which is why it is usually displayed without it, and a muddy colour. It is known as the anglerfish as it bears on its head a 'rod' and 'lure' which attract its prey. The meat of the tail is sweet and succulent - almost like lobster meat, entirely compensating for is appearance. The flavour may well be assisted by its own diet which is high in shellfish. The best monkfish are Lophius piscatorius and the similar Lophius budegassa, the favourite of the Spanish. American monkfish or goosefish (Lophius americanus) is considered inferior, while New Zealand monkfish (Kathetostoma giganteum) is related to the stargazer and is only fit for soup.
"St Peter fish." John Dory. A high quality, plump, flattish fish with a golden sheen, with an ugly but amiable face. It was first associated with Zeus, then with St Peter, as evidenced by the ‘finger marks’ left by him when he picked it up to remove a coin from its mouth to pay some taxes. It is also plaice.
"Sabre fish." Scabbard fish, either black or silver, cut into pieces and fried or grilled, or used in stews.
