demersal
/dɪˈməːs(ə)l
/adjective
(Chiefly of fish) living close to the floor of the sea or a lake: demersal fish...Often contrasted with pelagic.
- The starkest fact highlighting the plight of fishing is that the amount of adult demersal fish - those living on the seabed - has fallen by 90 per cent since the early 1970s.
- A small beginning has been made to developing the theory of metapopulations of demersal fishes, frequently in the context of reef fish management.
- These fish have demersal eggs, but do not bury the eggs and do not attach them to specific substrates.
Origin
Late 19th century: from Latin demersus (past participle of demergere 'submerge, sink', from de- 'down' + mergere 'plunge') + -al.