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Interesting Facts about the Lesser Weever

[Phylum: Chordata] [Class: Actinopterygii] [Order: Perciformes] [Family: Trachinidae]

They spend most of the day buried in sand near the shore, but lesser weaver fish sting is one of the most serious and venomous dorsal fin injuries.

This segment contains facts about lesser weevers, including where they live, what they eat, and what to do if you get stung.

Lesser Weever Fish Habitat and Distribution

Small weevers are common around the eastern North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea.

Yet, some weaver fish species also exist in shallow shorelines around:

The main reason why lesser weever fish are dangerous is because they partially bury themselves in the substrates of the sea bed.

As a result, you will not be able to see them from above the water because they burrow into the sand to hide from their predators.

But, a sharp venomous dorsal fin stands proud above the sandy bottom. In fact, it's not uncommon to see several rows of vertical black triangular spikes scattered along the bottom of the sea.

Pro Tip: In most cases, the only body parts left uncovered are the eyes and the tip of the fish's first black dorsal fin. Its venomous poison, and proximity to sandy holiday beaches, are what makes this a particularly dangerous fish around the coastal resort areas of the Mediterranean.

Lesser Weever Fish Characteristics

Like most cartilaginous fish (e.g. marine rays and sharks), weevers don't have a swim bladder. As a consequence, they have a lot of difficulty controlling their buoyancy when they move.

They start to sink as soon as they stop swimming - often in an abrupt manner. So they limit their movements to save energy.

For the most part, weevers are shy and timid in nature. Nonetheless, they will strike with pinpoint accuracy if they feel threatened.

Here's the thing:

It's fair to call them a grumpy looking fish with an upturned mouth and bulbous eyes sitting quite high on top of its head. This is an evolutionary adaptation for ambush predators that need to look up from a submerged and hidden position.

Their body is generally pale yellow and brown, sometimes with faint and mottled 'line' patterns that run along the sides, and a pale white underbelly.

There are between five and seven sharp spines on the first dorsal fin, with even more located on the opercula (the gill covers).

Lesser Weever Size

There are nine living species of weaver fish, and most will grow to an overall length between fifteen and thirty five (35) centimetres.

In fact, the lesser weever is the smallest in the family and it rarely grows longer than eighteen (18) centimetres (7 inches).

Many of the United Kingdom dives sites are also resident for the greater weever (Trachinus draco). It can measure forty (40) centimetres long (20 inches) and weigh up to two (2) kilograms (about 4 pounds).

Weever Fish Species List

Thanks to some zany scientists, there's a long list of funny sea creature names in the taxonomic system. However, excluding the extinct Monte Bolca lagerstätte (Callipterys speciosus), there are nine surviving species of weevers (often called weeverfish or weaver fish) of the family Trachinidae:

Some of the common names for weevers include the adder-pike, sea cat, sea dragon, and viperfish (although it's not related to the genus Chauliodus).

Lesser Weever Fish Sting

Compared with the total number of scuba diving deaths per year, weever fish spike injuries are not common. Even so, they have several needle-sharp dorsal spines that can be about five centimetres long (almost 2 inches).

Each fin tip contains a powerful venom. The small fish can extend its spines and inject poison into its prey or into human skin - especially if provoked (e.g. trodden on).

And the treatment...

The recommended first aid treatment for any fish spine injury is straightforward. The aim is to destroy the protein by "cooking" it because heat denatures the venom.

Soak the injury site in hot water (but not scalding) for a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes. When the pain starts to decrease, you may be able to remove the fish spikes with tweezers.

Important: It's not uncommon for some victims to develop an allergic reaction to weever sting, such as breathing issues, low blood pressure, and heart palpitations. If so, the person will need urgent medical care (e.g., at a local hospital).

What Do Lesser Weevers Eat?

Weever fish are diurnal, so they eat during the daytime. Whilst buried in sand, they keep watch for their preferred prey of small fish (e.g., blennies, goby fish), crustaceans (especially crabs and shrimps), sandhoppers, amphipods, and marine worms (Polychaetes).

Lesser Weever Reproduction

Spawning season usually occurs in the late spring or early summer (May through to the end of August in northern parts of Europe).

Male and female adults migrate to shallower depths to spawn, and then mate via external fertilisation. There will be no nesting or parental care.

The eggs are planktonic, so they drift freely in the water column before they eventually settle on shallow seabeds - feeding mostly on zooplankton while they develop as juveniles.

Predators and Environmental Threats

Despite being venomous, predation of the lesser weever fish (Echiichthys vipera) occurs from large marine animals that are able to handle (or avoid) their spines, especially those that feed on shallow bottom-dwellers such as:

It's fair to say overfishing and bycatch have an effect on a significant amount of sea wildlife and vulnerable marine species in the seas and oceans.

Besides being caught 'accidentally' through trawls and coastal sand dredging, other environmental issues for these mid-level predators include:

Pro Tip: An assessment released by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2007 suggests the conservation status of the lesser weever (Echiichthys vipera) is "Least Concern" (LC).

Related Information and Help Guides

Note: The short video [2:03 minutes] presented by 'Deep marine Scenes' contains more weever fish facts with footage of Trachinidae species burying themselves into the sand.

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