Aranha (weever)
Original title: Aranha
Madeiran name for two weever fish, Trachinus vipera and T. draco, whose venomous spines cause painful stings, notably on the great beach of Porto Santo.
Name given to two fish of the weever family (Trachinidae), Trachinus vipera and T. draco. They do not live in deep water but are found close to the shore, preferring sandy places. They have the habit of burying themselves in the sand, leaving only the head uncovered. A sting from the opercular spines, and above all from the rays of the first dorsal fin, is highly venomous and can cause, besides terrible pain, violent inflammation, sometimes accompanied by fever. Fishermen and bathers have suffered serious accidents of this kind on the great beach of Porto Santo (‘holy harbour’), where the two species are not rare.