Lesser weever
📖 Overview
Littoral and benthic, on sandy, muddy or gravelly bottoms, from a few meters to about 150 m (in winter). Rest on the bottom, often buried with eyes and tip of first dorsal fin exposed. Considered as the most dangerous of the European weevers, both for its poison and for its frequent occurrence very near to beaches . There are venom glands on the first dorsal fin, which is totally black, and on the gill cover . Also Ref. 57406.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Body elongate. Coloration grey-brown on the back and silvery-white on the sides. No spines in front of the eyes .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Lesser weever is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 3 - 50 m . Subtropical; 59°N - 20°N, 19°W - 36°E North Sea to the Mediterranean, Morocco and Madeira.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- severe immediate pain
- oedema
- occasional systemic effects
Analgesia and wound care.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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