What are demersal animals?
Q: What are demersal animals?
A: Demersal animals are those that live on or near the bottom of the sea or lakes, usually fish.
Q: What type of sea floors do demersal animals occupy?
A: Demersal animals usually occupy sea floors and lake beds that consist of mud, sand, gravel or rocks.
Q: Where are demersal animals found in coastal waters?
A: Demersal animals are found in coastal waters on or near the continental shelf.
Q: Where are demersal animals found in deep waters?
A: Demersal animals are found in deep waters on or near the continental slope or along the continental rise.
Q: Are demersal animals generally found in the deepest waters?
A: No, demersal animals are not generally found in the deepest waters, such as abyssal depths or on the abyssal plain.
Q: What does the word 'demersal' mean?
A: The word 'demersal' comes from the Latin word 'demergere', meaning to sink.
Q: How do demersal fish differ from pelagic fish?
A: Demersal fish are bottom feeders, while pelagic fish live and feed away from the bottom in the open water column. Additionally, demersal fish fillets contain little fish oil (one to four percent), whereas pelagic fish fillets can contain up to 30 percent.
