Common name: goose barnacle

General information

The Goose Barnacle, scientifically known as Lepas anserifera, is a species of pelagic barnacle in the family Lepadidae. These barnacles are commonly found attached to floating objects in the open ocean, such as driftwood, buoys, and even ships' hulls. They are characterized by their long, fleshy stalks, called peduncles, and white, calcareous plates that form their capitulum, which houses their feeding appendages.

Care

In the aquarium, Goose Barnacles are not commonly kept due to their specific needs. They require constant water movement to mimic their natural pelagic environment and to facilitate feeding. They are filter feeders, straining plankton from the water with their feather-like cirri. Maintaining a supply of appropriate-sized plankton is crucial for their survival in captivity.

Reproduction

Lepas anserifera reproduces through a process called pedunculate reproduction, where fertilized eggs are brooded within the capitulum. The larvae undergo several planktonic stages before settling and metamorphosing into the adult form. In an aquarium setting, breeding Goose Barnacles is challenging due to their complex life cycle and the difficulty in providing suitable conditions for the larvae.

Habitat

Goose Barnacles are cosmopolitan in distribution, found in oceans worldwide. They are typically found in the pelagic zone, attached to floating debris. This lifestyle allows them to be distributed by ocean currents across great distances.