They are called Rose-coloured Barnacles because when the four outer plates break down they are pink.
Common name: Rose-coloured Barnacle
Scientific name: Tesseropora rosea
Photo: W. Rudman
Barnacles belong to the same group of animals as crabs and shrimps. Find out how barnacles are adapted to life on a moving or fixed surface.
Rock pools and rock platforms
Rose-coloured Barnacle
Rose-coloured Barnacles are pyramid-shaped. They have four wall plates that protect the body and feathery limbs called 'cirri'. The wall plates are white or grey. The barnacles have an opening at the top that is covered by two plates.
Rose-coloured Barnacles are often found in clusters on rocks.
Rose-coloured Barnacles live on rocky shores of south-eastern Australia. The barnacles can be found attached to rocks.
Rose-coloured Barnacles eat plankton.
Rose-coloured Barnacles poke their cirri out of their shells to eat. They use their feathery cirri to push water towards their mouth. They eat the plankton from the water.
Snails eat Rose-coloured Barnacles.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
