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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Morocco dentex

Dentex maroccanus Valenciennes, 1830
Max Length
45 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.9
Depth
20–500 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
52.00/100
Typical Length
25 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Inhabit various types of bottom but prefers gravel or rubble from 20 to about 500 m depth, abundance varying with depth according to the latitudes. Feed mainly on crustaceans and fish but also takes mollusks .

Scientific Name
Dentex maroccanus
Authority
Valenciennes, 1830
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
45 cm
Depth Range
20–500 m
Latitude
5°S – 57°N
Trophic Level
3.9
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
52.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Body tall, without stripes or bars. Small black spot at the pectoral fin base .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Morocco dentex is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
15.8cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 20 - 500 m . Subtropical; 57°N - 5°S, 18°W - 36°E

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.9±0.61
Food Items

crustaceans and fish but also takes mollusks (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0138 × L3.02 (TL)
Max TL
45cm
Dorsal Spines
12
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
9

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
52.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.9
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Latitude Range
57°N – 5°S
Described By
Valenciennes, 1830

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Morocco dentex is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 19.9 g
Omega-3 (total) 515 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Morocco dentex has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy90 kcal
Moisture80 %
Protein18 %
Total Fat1.2 %
Ash1.2 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat0.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat0.4 g
Omega-3 Total0.3 g
EPA0.08 g
DHA0.15 g
Omega-6 Total0.05 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium18 mg
Iron0.4 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus200 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium60 mg
Zinc0.4 mg
Selenium30 µg
Vitamin B60.3 mg
Vitamin B121 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Dentex parvulus de Brito Capello 1867 Synonym
Diagramma maroccanus Valenciennes 1830 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 20 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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