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Average length 80-90 cm, average weight 6 kg, ranging from 3-20 kg. Grey-blue to grey-brown above, white below, and has small scales. Distinguished from the related but less common bass groper by its more slender body, pointed head, and protruding lower jaw. Found right around New Zealand, including the Chatham Rise but not the Campbell Plateau. Most common over or near rocky areas, down to 250 metres. Main fishing areas are the deep canyons off the East Coast of the North Island, Cook Strait, off Kaikoura and off the West Coast of the South Island. Caught mainly by longline and handline, though occasionally by trawl and recently set net. Available all year round but landings peak in mid winter during the spawning season, June-August. A small to moderate resource.

Average length 30-50 cm, average weight 0.5 to 1.5 kg. Large bluish green pectoral fins each with one dark spot and several small white spots. Its colour pattern and very small scales distinguish this species from other gurnards. Widespread all around New Zealand on sand and sandy shell seabeds to depth of 150 metres. Caught all year round, mainly by trawling. A moderate resource.

Average length 35-45 cm, average weight about 1 kg. Grey with large dark spots, more prominent in small fish. Scales very small, easily dislodged. Distinguished from other oreos by the very small scales, small fin spines and generally rounded, smooth body form. Occurs around the south of New Zealand, 600 m to over 1000 m. distribution tends to overlap black oreo dory and spiky oreo dory. New Zealand second most abundant oreo dory. Caught by deepsea trawling. Available all year. A moderate resource.