Species profile
Bay Barnacle
Amphibalanus improvisus
Identify Bay Barnacle (Amphibalanus improvisus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app.
At a glance
Bay Barnacle (Amphibalanus improvisus) is a barnacle present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
Confirmed by 373 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Maryland, New York, and Texas the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Exceptionally euryhaline, it can survive in water approaching nearly zero salinity.
- Native to Atlantic North America but now established on hard surfaces in ports worldwide.
- Typically less than 1 cm across, it is one of the smaller barnacles in estuarine communities.
- Dominates brackish bays and tidal rivers where most other barnacle species cannot survive.
- It feeds by extending feathery cirri to kick plankton and detritus into its mouth.
Where Bay Barnacle are seen
Background
Amphibalanus improvisus, the bay barnacle, is a species of acorn barnacle in the family Balanidae.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Bay Barnacle article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bay Barnacle?
Bay Barnacle (Amphibalanus improvisus) is a barnacle present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
What is the scientific name for Bay Barnacle?
Bay Barnacle is Amphibalanus improvisus.
Are there fishing rules for Bay Barnacle?
Bay Barnacle does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Bay Barnacle?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Bay Barnacle along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.