Overview
Bottom and mid-water predator, very powerful, often on reefs and ledges.
Identification
Sharp and strong teethRelatively long pectoral finsBlue-silver colorationLarge eyesWell-defined lateral lineMassive headSpiny dorsal fins
- Body
- The body is sturdy and elongated, with a massive head and a large, strong mouth.
- Colouration
- It features a bluish coloration on the back that fades to silvery on the sides and belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not noticeable
- Growth
- medium, with fast growth in the early years
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sparidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Sparus aurataPagellus erythrinusPagrus pagrusDiplodus sargusLithognathus mormyrus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- rock, reef, sand
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic, from the UK coasts to the Canary Islands.
- Micro-habitat
- Often found near rocky shoals and edges where it hunts fish and rests.
Prefers rocky or moderately structured seabeds for hiding and hunting.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- fish, crustaceans, mollusks
- Secondary prey
- octopuses, cuttlefish
- Occasional prey
- small cephalopods, annelids
- Feeding behaviour
- The dentex is an active predator mostly hunting fish and crustaceans, using its strength to surprise prey on the seabed.
- Natural predators
- sharks, tunas, dolphins
Diet is influenced by the seasonal availability of prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- high
- Migration
- non-migratory
- Seasonal behaviour
- In winter, it moves to deeper waters for shelter and food, while in summer it's more active in shallower waters.
- Juveniles
- Young tend to form small groups near more protected coastal areas.
- Adults
- Adults are more solitary and occupy well-defined territories in rocky or reef bottoms.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- April, May
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Small pelagic eggs dispersed by currents.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic, moving with currents until reaching a size to settle on the seabed.
- Sexual maturity
- varies between 2 and 5 years
When to catch Common dentex
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino presto, tarda mattina
Nighttramonto
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
More active, rises from bottom to hunt.
Medium
Regular activity near structures.
High
Stays very close to bottom, more wary.
Barometric trend
Rising
Less aggressive, stays deeper.
Stable
Active and hunts regularly. Stable pressure ideal.
Falling
Very aggressive, rises to shallower water to hunt.
Water temperature
13°COptimal zone: 17-26°C29°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
rocky shoalssubmerged reefsdeep coastal areasreefs
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trollingdeep dropliningbottom fishingdrifting
Other applicable
Vertical JiggingSlow JiggingKabura Tai RubberTraina Col VivoTraina CostieraBolentinoSpinning PesanteBolentino MedioBolentino PesanteLive BaitingPesca A FondoPesca A Fondo Pesante
Recommended baits
cuttlefishoctopusessardinessquid
Baits by pressure
Low
InchikuKabura / Tai rubberMetal jig medio (40-100g)Slow pitch jigSoft plastic grande (20-30cm)Jig head + softbaitPaddle tail softbait
Medium
Calamaro interoCalamaro vivoSardina vivaSgombro vivoAcciuga vivaEsca viva (generica)Pezzo di pesce
High
Calamaro interoCalamaro vivoInchiku
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- When hooked, it offers powerful resistance with rapid runs and deep dives.
- Handling
- Use gloves to avoid injuries from sharp teeth and spiny fins.
- Release
- Handle with care, avoiding damage to fins and gills, and release quickly into the water.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- A world IGFA all-tackle record for dentex (Dentex dentex) is 17.20 kg, caught in Golfo Aranci, Italy, in 2015. In the Mediterranean, specimens over 10 kg are considered exceptional catches. Historically valued for its size and taste, dentex is a prized target for sport fishing.
- In the kitchen
- Dentex is prized for its firm white meat, excellent for grilling, baking, or stewing.
- Cultural notes
- In the Mediterranean, it is often celebrated in gastronomy for its flavorful meat.
- Historical notes
- Considered an important fish resource for Mediterranean fishermen since ancient times.
