In greek it is called drakena, which translates to dragon fish and in catalan is called aranya, which translates to spider. The weever is widely found in the Mediterranean sea, so you can spot it in the Aegean sea and the Cyclades.
It is a fish that lives in the sand and that means that you could step on it, cause it is also found in shallow waters. Unfortunately it has venom in its dorsal fin and gills.
The ones that most of the cases are inflicting a sting are the lesser weevers.
It can cause more pain than a bee or wasp sting but this of course depends on the person. Some further common symptoms are itching, swelling, heat, redness, numbness and tingling. There are also some rare or severe symptoms, that are in the Bibliography below and if you see see that the symptoms persist or are severe, you need to seek medical treatment.
Even if the sting of a weever can inflict a lot of pain, it is in general not dangerous. As first aid, you could immerse it in hot water. Online you can find “warm” to be over 45°C or 50°C. The hot water is denaturing the venom, so it is loosing its effect. 15-90 minutes in warm water should already ease the pain, as long as you were fast applying it after the sting. If it took you long to immerse it in warm water, you need to keep it in warm water longer.
The spines break and stay in the wound very rarely but it is good to check for remains, after being relieved from the hot water.
Warm water is enough and nothing needs to be added.
The weever fish is despite its venom edible and can be used in soups. They are not poisonous.
The weever fish is not to be mistaken with the weaver fish.
This information/content on our site is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice.
Bibliography
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weever
- https://firstaidtrainingcooperative.co.uk/weever-fish/
- https://www.emedicinehealth.com/wilderness_weeverfish_sting/article_em.htm
- https://britishseafishing.co.uk/weever-fish/
- https://benbassettfishing.home.blog/2020/04/14/understanding-the-weever-fish/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Survival/comments/1iztcf/how_to_safely_prepare_weever_fish/?rdt=42565 (how to safely prepare a weever fish)
- https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%94%CF%81%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%B1
Yannis and Stella @Apollon, Naxos 