Greater weever

D-Petermännchen; GB-Greater weever; DK-Fjæsing; PL-Ostrosz; EST-Harilik merilohe; RU-Большой морской дракон; FIN-Louhikala; S-Fjärsing

Characters

1) Poisonous spine present on operculum.
2) Large mouth, with opening pointing upwards.
3) Dark spot on first dorsal fin.
●) Colouration: light with blueish oblique stripes.
30 to 40 cm in body length.

Similar species

Dragonet - mouth pointing downwards; snout longer.

Biology

Is active during night, during day time it is buried in the sand, such that only the eyes are visible. Ocurrs in shallow waters down to 150 m depth.

Diet

Feeds on small invertebrates and fish.

Importance

Commercially little used.

Endangerment

Affected due to by-catch in the fisheries.