Reticulated striped barnacle

Balanus reticulatus

Family Balanidae - barnacles (crustacea)

Distinguishing
Characteristics
Shell conical, made of 6 triangular plates (parietes) fused together with walls (radii) between plates; walls (radii) narrow with oblique outer edge; plates with irregularly spaced vertical dark, reddish purple or brown stripes; horizontal striations give the plates a reticulated pattern; base plate is calcareous, usually stays on hard substrate when barnacle is removed; aperture is almost diamond-shaped except flat or rounded at 1 end; internal plate (tergum) with spur (rounded extension) longer than wide.
Similar Species
There are several purplish stripe barnacles in our area. Similar to the striped barnacle B. amphitrite but the striped barnacle has no reticulated pattern. Also, the striped barnacle has a short tergal spur (about as wide or wider than long).
Habitat
Gulf, attaches to platforms and other hard surfaces
Maximum Size
1.5 cm (3/5 in)
Other Common Names
Previous Scientific Names
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