Weever

weever any fish of the family Trachinidae, which is represented only in the NE Atlantic and the Mediterranean. All weevers have venomous spines on their back and on the gill-covers. Since they have the habit of burying themselves in the sand, they can be a hazard to barefoot bathers. It is usual, and prudent, to have these spines cut off when the fish are bought.

Trachinus draco, the greater weever, has a maximum length of nearly 40 cm (15"). It is called ‘greater’ in contrast to Echiichthys vipera, the lesser weever (always less than 15 cm/6"), with which it shares an extensive range from Norway to the E. Mediterranean. The other two species, which are only found in the Mediterranean, may also be about 40 cm long; these are Trachinus araneus, the spotted weever, and T. radiatus, the streaked weever.