The Greater Weever
(Trachinus draco)

his fish, about 30 cm long, has an elongated body, flat sides and a big head with a large mouth inclined upwards. The eyes are located on top of the head and are also directed upwards.

It has a long poisonous opercular spine pointing backward, and other poisonous dorsal spines (on top of the body). The upper part of the body is yellowish, scattered with dark spots on the head and sides, which are whiter. There are some yellow and blue lines along the body.

It lives over sandy bottoms from surface level down to great depths, though in summer it approaches the coast and is very common at depths of between 15 and 30 feet. It can be found throughout the Mediterranean Sea.

The Greater Weever lives on small crustaceans and bottom fishes; after lying in wait almost completely buried in the sand bottom, it leaps at its prey with its big mouth gaping.

Because of its poisonous spines and its nasty habit of lying covered in sand, this is a very dangerous fish to the bather. To step on it with bare feet means an injection of venom, resulting in symptoms ranging from pain and fever to difficulty in breathing. To neutralize the albuminoid venom, apply water as hot as possible to the site of the wound.

© Proofreading Bob Bridges 1998