Describing organisms that live partially on the seafloor and partially in the water column, or organisms that transition between benthic and pelagic habitats.
From Greek 'hemi-' (half) plus 'benthic' (from 'benthos' meaning bottom). This ecological term emerged in 20th-century marine biology as scientists recognized organisms defying traditional habitat categories.
Many fish and crustaceans are hemibenthic—they spend the day hiding on the sandy bottom avoiding predators, then swim up into the water column at night to feed, living a split existence between two very different worlds.
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