Chamaesipho tasmanica

Systematics:Cirripedia Family Chthamalidae

Distinguishing Characters:
Although adults each have four side plates those from adjacent individuals fuse into a grey calcareous lacework in which the animals live. The very largest animal is only 19 mm high and 6 mm wide but usually much shorter.

Habitat and Distribution:
This species is called the honeycomb barnacle because dense populations grow with their shells fused. It is found on ocean shores, never in estuaries, in the upper half of the intertidal range only in southeastern Australia.

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.