Planktonic vs. Benthic — What's the Difference?

The small or microscopic organisms that drift or swim weakly in a body of water, including bacteria, diatoms, jellyfish, and various larvae. Plankton is an important food source for fish and other larger organisms.

The collection of organisms living on or in the bottom of a body of water.

Of or pertaining to plankton.

The bottom of a body of water.

Floating in the open sea rather than living on the seafloor.

Pertaining to the benthos; living on the seafloor, as opposed to floating in the ocean.

Of or relating to plankton

Any organism that lives on the seafloor

Of, pertaining to, or occurring at the bottom of a body of water, especially referring to the ocean depths.

Of or relating to or happening on the bottom under a body of water