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FISH GUIDE · Sea

Common dentex: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Dentex dentex

Morgan Calu documents searching for common dentex with a shad from a boat. Start on a controllable drift and prepare to land the fish; this suggestion does not guarantee its presence.

Catalogue names : Denti, Denté. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Documented presence includes: Mediterranean Sea ; eastern Atlantic, from the British Isles to Mauritania.

  • Documented presence : Mediterranean Sea
  • Documented presence : eastern Atlantic, from the British Isles to Mauritania

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

Massive head, almost straight forehead and strong front canine teeth.

Habitat

Rocky bottoms, coralligenous habitats and seagrass; young often in shallow water.

Diet

Mainly fish; also cephalopods and crustaceans.

Behaviour

Common dentex take prey including fish in open water. This biology alone does not prove an action’s effectiveness; the shad approach described here is supported separately by an identified practitioner’s account.

Fishing context and precautions

1. Check the spot, drift and rig.

2. Cast the shad up-drift; follow its descent.

3. Alternate pulls and controlled descents.

4. At a confirmed bite, establish contact and keep the fish away from obstacles.

An indicative adaptation of Morgan Calu’s account, without guaranteed effectiveness.

A distinctive feature

At night it may rest on the bottom with marbled colours.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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