Fun Greater Weever Facts For Kids
Gallery
The greater weever (Trachinus draco) is a marine fish of the Mediterranean and is a member of the family Trachinidae. They are considered to be among the most venomous fish found in the Mediterranean.
This weever fish is small with an elongated and laterally flattened body; the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw giving the appearance of a big head with a small face and eyes on top. It has toxic spines that extend from the first dorsal fin to the gill cover.
These greater weever (Trachinus draco) fish are not to be messed with because of their toxic nature and if you are stung by one, immediate medical assistance is required.
If you liked these true facts about greater weever, then you'll surely like these facts about the grayling and the catfish too!
Greater Weever Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a greater weever?
The greater weever (Trachinus draco) is the most venomous weever fish found in the Mediterranean. These are small fish that live in the sand or mud along with coastal areas. These fish belong to the group of venomous fish that use their sting and spines as a means of self-defense like the stonefish and the lionfish.
What class of animal does a greater weever belong to?
Like most other fish species, the greater weever belongs to the Actinopterygii class of animals and belongs to the Trachinidae family.
How many greater weevers are there in the world?
The exact population count of this species in their natural habitat is unknown.
Where does a greater weever live?
The greater weever's (Trachinus draco) range is broadly dispersed along the deep coastal waters from Norway to Morocco, extending to the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean.
What is a greater weever's habitat?
The greater weever (Trachinus draco) inhabits deep waters and also inhabits sandy or muddy grounds where they hide and attack prey. The greater weever habitat mostly comprises substrate along the coastline and they can live at a depth of 656 ft (200 m), but are most commonly found between 65.6-164 ft (20-50 m) depths.
Who do greater weevers live with?
It is unknown if the weever fish is a solitary or a school fish.
How long does a greater weever live?
The lifespan of this small fish is unknown at this moment. However, the oldest recorded specimen ever caught in the Kattegat was 14 years of age.
How do they reproduce?
In the Black Sea, a weever fish has been recorded to be sexually mature by the age of one year. The maximum breeding age of these fish has been recorded as six years for females and five years for males.
Reproduction of greater weever fish occurs during spring and summer and the female lays eggs that are pelagic on hatching. These fish spawn in coastal waters with soft, moist bottoms of sand or gravel.
During the breeding period, these fish can be encountered buried in the sand with their venomous dorsal spines exposed.
What is their conservation status?
The weever fish is not under any kind of protection as they are listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Greater Weever Fun Facts
What do greater weevers look like?
The greater weever (Trachinus draco) is small in size and has a greenish-golden color with brown-green stripes. Female weevers have a slightly larger body than males of similar age, and older groups consist of more females than males. When these fish are young, it is difficult to tell the male from the female and vice versa.
Greater weevers are notorious as a poisonous species. They have five venomous dorsal spines on their body. These spines are robust so it is rare for the spine to break off in the wound when they sting predators.
*We've been unable to source an image of greater weever and have used an image of a catfish instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of greater weever, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.How cute are they?
These fish might look cute due to their small and weird body shape but are in no way cute! This fish inhabits shallow waters and encounters with them are usually painful as the greater weever fin contains venomous spines.
How do they communicate?
Not much is known about the communication pattern of these fish species.
How big is a greater weever?
The full-grown adults measure 9.9 in (25 cm). They are larger than another venomous fish known as the mottled sculpin.
How fast can a greater weever swim?
Greater weever (Trachinus draco) are predatory fishes but they are not known for their speed as they prefer to lay low and wait for prey to come to them.
How much does a greater weever weigh?
Greater weever are small in size and an adult weighs 8.1 oz (229.6 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
Male and female weever fish have no specific name assigned to them.
What would you call a baby greater weever?
Baby greater weever have no specific name assigned and are known as fry, just like most other species of fish.
What do they eat?
These weevers are predators and usually lay low in the substrate in waiting. They feed on small invertebrates like decapods and mysids, as well as other small fishes.
Are they dangerous?
Yes, these fish are dangerous to humans as they release a dangerous neurotoxin that is lethal enough to kill humans.
Would they make a good pet?
No, these fish are not good pets because they are venomous marine fish.
Did you know...
The greater weever is considered to be the most dangerous fish in the UK! Sometimes they are caught in fishing nets.
If you are stung by a weever, you will experience pain for at least 24 hours, after which the pain may fade away or stick around for a few more days.
Weevers can survive long periods without water, as a result of which they are common on beaches.
The gill covers are toxic so they should be removed before skinning the fish.
Greater weever stings
The weever fish sting is dangerous and if not treated, can be lethal just like that of a stingray. Symptoms of a weever sting include severe pain, swelling, nausea, and vomiting.
The pain can be lessened by soaking the wound in hot water as the venom is destroyed by heat. If the spine is present in the wound then it should be carefully removed by a certified professional.
Can you eat greater weever fish?
Yes, this fish is edible. Their gill covers are poisonous so they should be removed. Weever flesh tastes similar to sole. These fish are part of the commercial fishery industry and sold in countries like France where they are a delicacy.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these chamois facts and coho salmon facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable African catfish coloring pages.
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
Postgraduate Diploma in Management
Sakshi RaturiPostgraduate Diploma in Management
Sakshi has experience in marketing strategy, social media planning, and recruiting industry experts for capstone projects, she has displayed a commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. She has won multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Writing and a Certificate of Merit for Immaculate Turut, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow and develop.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.
