Weeverfish

Weeverfish – Venomous Sand-Dwellers

Weeverfish (family Trachinidae) are a group of nine species of elongated fish, growing up to 37 cm. Typically brown in color, they are notorious for their venomous spines located on the first dorsal fin and gill covers. By day, weevers bury themselves in sandy seabeds, with only their eyes exposed, waiting to ambush passing prey such as shrimps and small fish. Unlike most bony fishes, weevers lack a swim bladder, causing them to sink when not actively swimming. Apart from T. cornutus in the southeast Pacific, all species are found in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.