Demersal fish

Demersal Fish

Demersal fish (pronunciation: /dɪˈmɜːrsəl fɪʃ/) are a type of fish that live and feed on or near the bottom of bodies of water. They occupy the sea floor and lake bed, which usually consist of mud, sand, gravel or rocks.

Etymology

The term "demersal" is derived from the Latin word demergere, meaning "to sink". It is a combination of de- ("down") and mergere ("to plunge").

Types of Demersal Fish

Demersal fish can be further classified into two main types:

Inshore demersal fish: These fish are found in shallow waters and are often associated with habitats like coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Examples include grouper, snapper, and flatfish.

Deep-sea demersal fish: These fish are found in deep waters, often at depths greater than 200 meters. Examples include cod, haddock, and pollock.

Related Terms

Pelagic fish: Fish that inhabit the water column, not near the bottom or the shore, of coasts, open oceans, and lakes.
Benthic zone: The ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean, lake, or stream, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers.
Benthos: The community of organisms that live on, in, or near the seabed, river, lake, or stream bottom, also known as the benthic zone.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Demersal fish
Wikipedia's article - Demersal fish

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