Scots beachgoers warned over hidden weever fish with extremely painful sting within minutes

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scots are being warned over a tiny fish that hides in the sand close to the water's edge on beaches around the UK, and has a venomous sting.A recent rise in reports of stings from the lesser weever fish on beaches around Wales has led to the coastguard calling on people to wear footwear such as sliders or sandals on the beach to protect themselves.

Normally found in warmer waters, the little fish, which are around 10cm long and have spines on their backs and gill covers which secrete a potent venom, have been found further north over the past five years, with recent reports of them being found on beaches in East Lothian, Fife and Tayside.

Though rare in Scotland, climate change has led to warmer British waters meaning they have spread from rare appearances on the southwest and eastern coasts of Scotland to reach much further north.

Usually found at the water's edge at low tide, the little creatures bury themselves in the sand where they await their prey.