Dentex (mean initial weight 324 ± 5 g) from a fish farm were divided into two groups (control and fasted). At the end of experimental period (5 wk), dentex were sampled for gross muscle composition and quality analysis. For post mortem muscle analysis, after death, fish were kept in a cold chamber at 4 C, and muscle samples were taken at 4 (prerigor state), 24 (rigor state), and 82 (postrigor state) h after slaughtering. In each fish, textural and biochemical parameters were determined. During starvation, there was a drastic reduction in muscle lipid content and a relative increase of the proteolysis. There were little qualitative changes in the fatty‐acid profile of muscle lipids, although a significant increase in n3/n6 ratio in the starved dentex was detected. Starved fish also showed higher muscle firmness, but no differences in pH and water holding capacity were observed. Total and myofibrillar protein and collagen content increased significantly in starved dentex. Firmness during post mortem storage was significantly higher in starved fish, compared with control group. Preslaughtering feeding status showed decisive influence on the evolution dentex muscle quality parameters during cold storage.