Species profile
Northern Acorn Barnacle
Semibalanus balanoides
Identify Northern Acorn Barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app.
At a glance
Northern Acorn Barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides) 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 4,781 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Maine, Nova Scotia, and Massachusetts the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Barnacles are crustaceans, more closely related to crabs and shrimp than to mussels or clams.
- They feed by extending feathery legs called cirri to sweep plankton from the water.
- A barnacle's penis can extend up to eight times its body length to reach neighbors.
- They survive freezing temperatures and hours of air exposure in the high intertidal zone.
- Adults typically measure about 1–2 cm across.
Where Northern Acorn Barnacle are seen
Background
Semibalanus balanoides is a common and widespread boreo-arctic species of acorn barnacle. It is common on rocks and other substrates in the intertidal zone of north-western Europe and both coasts of North America.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Northern Acorn Barnacle article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is Northern Acorn Barnacle?
Northern Acorn Barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides) 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 Northern Acorn Barnacle?
Northern Acorn Barnacle is Semibalanus balanoides.
Are there fishing rules for Northern Acorn Barnacle?
Northern Acorn Barnacle does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Northern Acorn Barnacle?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Northern Acorn 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.