Elminius modestus

Systematics:Cirripedia Family Archaeobalanidae

Distinguishing Characters:
This small barnacle is rarely more than 6 mm high; it has four side plates but individuals are often so crowded that their homes fuse together. The side plates are whitish with fewer than 20 vertical broad vertical ridges

General Biology:
The species lives only in estuaries, never on the open coasts, especially on wharf piles and prefers the mid-intertidal region but occurring down to 5 metres depth. Ships have transported the species from southern Australia and New Zealand to harbours in the Northern Hemisphere.

Feedback and queries should be sent to the Discovery Centre at Museum Victoria.
Please note, the Discovery Centre can help you only with questions about crustaceans from southeastern Australia. It can not advise on the care of pet hermit crabs or on crustaceans from other regions.