- Scientific name: Dentex dentex
- Also known as: Dentex
- Size: Up to 3ft and around 35lbs, although can possibly grow larger.
- UK minimum size: N/a
- UK shore caught record: No record currently listed.
- IGFA world record: 31lb 6oz
- IUCN Status:
- Global: VU (Vulnerable)
- VU (Vulnerable)
- Distribution: Found in the Mediterranean Sea with its range extending around the north coast of Africa and the coastlines of much of western Europe into the English Channel.
- Feeds on: Shellfish, smaller fish and squid.
- Description: Long, oval-shaped body. A single dorsal spiky dorsal fin runs from the middle of the back to the slightly forked tail. The pectoral and pelvic fins are prominent and the lateral line in high up on the body. The head is large with the mouth – which is full of large pointed teeth – is low down on the large head. The colour is mostly silver, sometimes with tinges or flecks of pink, brown or greenish on the upper sections.
Distribution
The common dentex is mostly found throughout the Mediterranean and the warmer parts of the Atlantic Ocean. It is found along the coast of Africa as far south as Mauritania and along the coast of Portugal, Spain and France. It appears to be extending its range – possibly due to warming seas – and can now be found along much of the coast of the south of Ireland, south Wales, south west England and along the English Channel.
Habitat, Feeding and Behaviour
Common dentex tend to favour hard and rocky seabeds and are found in coastal waters and offshore down to depths of several hundred metres. The large, sharp teeth of this species (dentex is derived from the Latin for the word teeth) mark it out as an active predator that will hunt other fish and take squid and octopus, although shellfish and crustaceans may also be taken. When they are not actively hunting common dentex may hide away in cracks and crevices in rocky areas. Young and mid-sized common dentex may be found in groups, but mature fish are usually solitary.
Commercial Value and Conservation Status
Across the areas where it is found in higher numbers, the common dentex is a highly commercial species which is caught by trawling, static nets and long-lines. This is also a species which is increasingly being raised in fish farms. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature states that commercial pressure on wild stocks means that catch levels of common dentex are falling. The last international IUCN assessment of this species was carried out in 2009 and classed this species as Vulnerable. Regional assessments in Europe and the Mediterranean also classed common dentex as Vulnerable, although these also need updating.
Fishing for Common Dentex
Common dentex is rare in British waters so anglers do not specifically target them and there is currently no recorded rod and line caught British record for this species from the shore or boat. However, It is possible that common dentex have been caught by British anglers but misidentified as another species, such as gilthead bream. With warming sea temperatures, the common dentex will likely extend its range around the British Isles in the coming years and an official rod-caught record may be set soon.
In European countries where common dentex is found, they are targeted by anglers from boats with deadbaits presented on the seabed or lures fished deep. They can be caught from the shore with similar methods, but only in areas where there is deep water within casting distance. The International Game Fish Association record is a specimen of 31lb 6oz, caught off the coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain in 1999.