Barnicles

[My2heartboys]

OK, not sure about the spelling, but here is what I need to know. I am sure most of us have seen these huge purple and white shells of them for decorating our aquariums. Are these cold or warm water critters? Anybody know where I can get my paws on some for my son's aquarium? I am thinking of using these possibly instead of feather dusters--they are, imho, more entertaining than feather dusters to watch. OK, so I am a total nut---the one thing people scrape off the bottom of their boats---I want in my son's aquarium. I have noticed that there are already several very small ones in the aquarium---just wanting to find a small-med sized colony that can be more easily seen.

Anne

 

[Krish]

When the water warms up Anne enough for me to get in and I find some, I'll find a way to get your son some seeing I haven't won the lotto yet to give you guys that "Bahamian Vacation"(LOL) But seriously though...If I find any (if they are in our waters) I'll get some, and figure out a way to get them to you cause I know you love your boys

 

[My2heartboys]

When the water warms up Anne enough for me to get in and I find some, I'll find a way to get your son some seeing I haven't won the lotto yet to give you guys that "Bahamian Vacation"(LOL) But seriously though...If I find any (if they are in our waters) I'll get some, and figure out a way to get them to you cause I know you love your boys

Krish, thank you. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Just in case you can't find any, though--the question still stands. This way I have a back up---and I can give my boys some information about them.

Anne

 

[Krish]

Krish, thank you. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

No problem...I'll follow the thread to get some more info on them as well so I can know what I'm looking for and not collect crabs or something

 

[liveforphysics]

I have had 100% luck with sticking cold water barnicals from the puget sound into my reef tanks which I keep around 82-83. A buddy even boiled this chunk of concrete he wanted in his tank for about 2 hrs. After all that, he stuck it in his tank and at least half the barnicals opened right up and started doing there thing. I dont know what the life expectancy is, but they died off in a couple months in my dads FOLR with a skimmer, while in my reefs they were still pumping strong right up until I put them back in the puget sound after running out of places to stick all my LR (they were just on little concrete chunks).

If you want some, let me know. They are fun to watch.

 

[My2heartboys]

I have had 100% luck with sticking cold water barnicals from the puget sound into my reef tanks which I keep around 82-83. A buddy even boiled this chunk of concrete he wanted in his tank for about 2 hrs. After all that, he stuck it in his tank and at least half the barnicals opened right up and started doing there thing. I dont know what the life expectancy is, but they died off in a couple months in my dads FOLR with a skimmer, while in my reefs they were still pumping strong right up until I put them back in the puget sound after running out of places to stick all my LR (they were just on little concrete chunks).

If you want some, let me know. They are fun to watch.

OK, sorry that it has taken so long to get back. I had to go digging for some information. First thing I found is that there are several types---gooseneck, acorn, and branching being just three of them. Apparently they do get a good size because I did see pictures of them being in and on cans and plates for eating (although I can assure you that at this point this is not my interest in them). Here are the links to images that I took note of.

http://ijolite.geology.uiuc.edu/02FallClass/geo143/lectures/lect06.html

http://www.rohmhaas.com/seanine/hull/howdoesitwork

http://www.soc.soton.ac.uk/CHD/chess/easter05/28marzo.html (scroll down the page)

http://www.marinetimes.ie/Assets/_archive_2004/1104_letters.html (scroll down the page)

http://www.imagequest3d.com/catalogue/macromarine/pages/o001_jpg.htm

http://www.seapics.com/picture_gallery/marine_invertebrate (first row, last on right)

http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/explorations.html (scroll down the page to Stalked barnacle, Lepas)

http://www.pensacolasgreatest.com/SeaShells/Barnacles.html (only live ones that look like this)

http://www.vc.cc.tx.us/dept/bio/phylumsurvey/13phyla/Animal/arthropoda/crustacea/crustacea.html (critter belonging to shell, 3rd picture down)

For those that are interested in helping me--it would be nice to have a medium sized colony of the three types that I mentioned above. A colony that would be easy to the eye to watch---but not so big that it would quickly outgrow my sons' tank.

I hope that all of this helps and I am not being too picky.

Anne

 

[My2heartboys]

I have had 100% luck with sticking cold water barnicals from the puget sound into my reef tanks which I keep around 82-83. A buddy even boiled this chunk of concrete he wanted in his tank for about 2 hrs. After all that, he stuck it in his tank and at least half the barnicals opened right up and started doing there thing. I dont know what the life expectancy is, but they died off in a couple months in my dads FOLR with a skimmer, while in my reefs they were still pumping strong right up until I put them back in the puget sound after running out of places to stick all my LR (they were just on little concrete chunks).

If you want some, let me know. They are fun to watch.

liveforphysics, I am not sure why they died in your dad's tank and not in your reef tank. The one thing I can think of would be food availability as well as availability of calcium (among other minerals).

Does this sound logical???

Anne

 

[dogstar74]

If anyone knows how to keep one alive, I'd love to hear. I had two in my first tank that lived for over a year. But they would only come out periodically. I would love to have a whole rock covered in these guys! I currently have two right now, but they are stuck on the back of a snail. One is about 1/8th of an inch diameter, and the other is about 3/8 inch diameter. They only come out occasionally, and if the snail ever dies, I would love to keep the barnacles alive. Any help on keeping them alive would be greatly appreciated.

 

[My2heartboys]

If anyone knows how to keep one alive, I'd love to hear. I had two in my first tank that lived for over a year. But they would only come out periodically. I would love to have a whole rock covered in these guys! I currently have two right now, but they are stuck on the back of a snail. One is about 1/8th of an inch diameter, and the other is about 3/8 inch diameter. They only come out occasionally, and if the snail ever dies, I would love to keep the barnacles alive. Any help on keeping them alive would be greatly appreciated.

Try something meant for very fine filter feeders. No kidding---even cyclopeeze is too big for these guys.

Anne