Barnacles are hermaphroditic, and most of them are fertilized by allogamy. During reproduction, sperm are sent to other barnacles with flexible tubules to fertilize eggs. The fertilized egg undergoes metamorphosis and develops from larva to barnacle adult.

In the tropical sea area, this kind of organisms can reproduce and attach all year round, and the species and quantity decrease with the increase of offshore distance. Barnacles are attached to coastal docks, ship bottoms and submarine cables, which often cause great harm.

Barnacles also have natural enemies. Mytilus will occupy the home of Tenghu Lake. Starfish will directly destroy the hard shell of barnacles through their sharp teeth, and then eat barnacles, leaving only empty shells and sticking to the rocks.

The food of barnacles The food of barnacles is plankton in seawater. Whenever the tide rises, barnacles are immersed in seawater, and tentacles will be extended to catch the plankton in seawater to eat. After the ebb tide, barnacles will be exposed to the water, and their shells will be closed tightly to prevent water loss and predation by natural enemies.

Because barnacle adults make a living by filtering plankton in seawater, they must attach to places with fast water flow to ensure adequate food, so reefs, shells and even crabs in shallow water are their ideal attachments. In addition, human ships, whales and turtles in the ocean are also their favorite targets.