Poisonous Mediterranean fish found living in the Thames

 

By David Derbyshire

Last updated at 9:38 PM on 02nd October 2008

 

 

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Bathers beware, this new arrival has a sting that's even uglier than it looks.

The greater weever, which grows up to 20in long with venomous spines, has turned up in the Thames for the first time.

The fish lurks below the seabed and if stepped on causes swelling, redness and pain for up to two weeks.

 

Enlarge You might think he looks cute: A greater weever like this has been found in the Thames and will cause you pain for weeks if you step on its venomous spines

 

 

They can even kill. In 1927, a fisherman died after suffering multiple-greater weever stings.

But conservationists who discovered the fish at Tilbury in Essex said the monster's arrival was good news, and a sign of falling levels of pollution in our waters.

It was the sixtieth new species to be recorded by a two-year study into fish numbers in the Thames for the Environment Agency and London's Zoological Society.

Agency spokesman Tom Cousins said: 'Fish have been coming back

 

'In the 1950s, there were some areas that were dead - there were no fish at all because of sewage discharges and industrial pollution.

'But now we have around 125 species.'

 

Enlarge The weever: A positive sign for the Thames - but bathers beware

He said the greater weever did not pose a serious threat, but warned bathers to take care at the seaside or when paddling.

Greater weavers hide in muddy, sandy or gravely sea beds, with just their fins showing and jump out at small fish and invertebrates. They are sandy coloured, up to 20 inches long and have large heads with savage teeth.

But their most dangerous feature is the poison spines that line their dorsal fins. If the spines are trodden on, the pressure sends a jet of toxin spurting upwards through the skin.

Not only are they are menace for divers and bathers, they can sting unsuspecting fishermen.

 

The discovery is a sign that the Thames is getting healthier since the heyday of pollution in the 1950s

The venom breaks down above 40C so the best treatment is to put a foot in hot water.

Matthew Gollock, Zoological Society of London's Thames conservation project manager, said: 'Heavy pollution in the Thames estuary once left the waterway devoid of fish species.

'However, the discovery of this new species and the blossoming diversity of fish are hugely indicative of the renaissance of the estuary.'

Unusual species such as the short-nosed seahorse and edible olive-yellow coloured John Dory fish have been found, along with well-known sole, cod, sea bass and thornback ray.

All of these species have been caught in the tidal Thames between Fulham and Tilbury since 1964.

:shocked:...Glad I don't live in London! :p

:shocked:...Glad I don't live in London! :p

 

I'm sure it won't be too long before they reach Scarborough too!!:rolleyes:

It's only a matter of time before it mutates into that huge creature in the Korean horror movie, "The Host"! Maybe the guys from Top Gear can capture them in their amphibious vehicles.

It's only a matter of time before it mutates into that huge creature in the Korean horror movie, "The Host"!

 

Or even worse - it might mutate into Miley Cyrus!!:stunned: