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Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) — Sparidae

Pink dentex

Dentex gibbosus
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 106 cm.

Length
106 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–220.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The pink dentex is a large sea bream of the family Sparidae reaching over a metre. The body is pink with silvery reflections and blue speckles in young fish; large, old individuals develop a markedly humped head. The jaws carry strong canine teeth. The species is a sequential hermaphrodite: individuals up to about 50 cm are mostly male and then change into females. It lives over rock, rubble and sand bottoms of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, usually between 20 and 220 m, with juveniles staying closer inshore. The pink dentex is a highly prized food fish across its range.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pink dentex?

The Pink dentex has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pink dentex live?

The Pink dentex lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Pink dentex get?

The Pink dentex grows to a maximum of about 106 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Pink dentex dangerous to humans?

No, the Pink dentex is harmless to humans.

Is the Pink dentex edible?

Yes, the Pink dentex is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roze tandbrasem verified
English name
Pink dentex verified
Scientific name
Dentex gibbosus
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Pink dentex; Porgy verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
106.0 verified
Average length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked sourced
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
220.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protandrous (male first) verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Dentex

More from the family Sparidae

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