Autotrophic
From The Aquarium Wiki
Autotrophic is an organism that produces complex organic compounds from simple molecules and an external source of energy, such as light or chemical reactions of inorganic compounds.
Typically used in context with aerobic bacteria and nitrifying bacteria. that is they take oxygen and a form of nitrogen (ammonia or nitrite) and convert it into another form like nitrate.
- See Nitrospira and Nitrosococcus bacteria.
