The Pink Dentex, which is also widely known as the Crowned Dentex or the Bluespotted Seabream, is one of the most imposing and powerful fish of the Sparidae family. It is famous for the dramatic changes in its appearance as it grows, including a characteristic hump on the forehead that gives it a royal look. Its scientific name means humpbacked and describes this trait exactly. The colour is pink silver with more intense reddish shades in young individuals and more faded tones in adults.

An interesting fact about this fish involves the misconception that the young and old individuals represent different species. The juvenile stage lives in shallower waters. The main feature consists of the third and fourth rays of the dorsal fin, which are exceptionally long while resembling a long antenna or a waving filament. As the fish grows, the antenna shortens or disappears. Simultaneously, the males develop a large bony protrusion, or hump, on the forehead above the eyes, resembling a crown or helmet.

It differs from the Common Seabream because that species always has a smooth, rounded head profile without a hump and lacks an antenna on the fin. Additionally, the tips of the tail on the Common Seabream are white, which looks like a French manicure, while the tail of the Pink Dentex is uniformly pink.

This is a benthopelagic species that lives near the bottom. It prefers rocky and mixed seabeds, as well as deep reefs and banks of sand and stone. There is clear depth segregation by age. The young individuals live in shallower waters, usually between 15 and 50 metres, while the adult crowned fish descend to depths of 200 or even 250 metres.

It represents one of the largest species in the family. It can reach a maximum length of one metre or even slightly more, and a weight that exceeds 15 kilograms, although individuals up to 25 kilograms have been recorded. The usual catches range from 2 to 8 kilograms.

The animal is an apex predator and powerful. Its diet consists mainly of cephalopods such as squid, flying squid, and octopus, along with crabs and other crustaceans, which it crushes with its strong jaws. It also actively hunts other fish.

The Pink Dentex presents an interesting strategy, which is the opposite of the dusky grouper. It is a protandrous hermaphrodite species. This means that the fish are born and mature initially as males. Later in their lives, usually when they reach a large size, they change sex and transform into females. Reproduction takes place in the spring, primarily from March until June.

It is one of the most expensive, select, and sought-after fish on the market and is ranked as Class A. It is caught professionally using thick, long lines and nets. For recreational fishers, it represents a great trophy. It is caught with deep-handlined gear and live bait or bottom-trolled. It is a difficult opponent because it puts up a great and strong fight until it reaches the surface. The meat is excellent, white, firm, and very delicious while being ideal for grilling, soup, or as raw sashimi.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature does not have sufficient data to fully assess the species globally, but in the Mediterranean, it is considered that the populations are under pressure. Scientific studies have shown that the characteristic hump in males is a secondary sex characteristic that likely plays a role in social dominance and female attraction during reproduction. It has also been established that it develops relatively quickly in its first years of life.