Dentex maroccanus Valenciennes, 1830 Morocco dentex |
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photo by
Meyer, T. |
Family: | Sparidae (Porgies) | |||
Max. size: | 45 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 500 m | |||
Distribution: | Eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay (occasionally further north) and southwestern Mediterranean to the Strait of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Guinea, possibly even further south. | |||
Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Body tall, without stripes or bars. Small black spot at the pectoral fin base (Ref. 35388). | |||
Biology: | 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 (Ref. 4781). | |||
IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2009 Ref. (130435) | |||
Threat to humans: | harmless |