Echiichthys vipera (Cuvier, 1829)
Lesser weever
Echiichthys vipera
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Trachinidae (Weeverfishes)
Max. size:  27.7 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 166.2 g
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 3 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: North Sea to the Mediterranean, Morocco and Madeira. Reported from the Canary Islands (Ref. 3397).
Diagnosis:  Body elongate. Coloration grey-brown on the back and silvery-white on the sides. No spines in front of the eyes (Ref. 35388).
Biology:  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 (Ref. 4675). There are venom glands on the first dorsal fin, which is totally black, and on the gill cover (Ref. 6790). Also Ref. 57406.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous
Country info:   
 


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