id help

[Dan Binderup]

hi.
I just received live rocks today and there is alot of strange creatures. but most is crabs and worms, but i found a really weird one. here is a pic.
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/552497.JPG

does anyone know what it is?
It looks like some sort of beak with a animal inside.
hope some of you guys are able to help me.

best regards
Dan Binderup

 

[venwu225]

google barnacle

 

[LeslieH]

Yup, a barnacle, once described as a lazy crab that sits on it's back inside it's shell & kicks foot into it's mouth with it's legs. Larval barnacles are pelagic. When they settle to the bottom they glue themselves to the surface & start creating the shell. the feathery branches that move in & out are the modified legs which catch particulates floating in the water & carry them to the mouth.

 

[Dan Binderup]

should I kill this creature? I heard that they can attach themself to coral and be a potential killer!

 

[graveyardworm]

More than likely it will die on its own, food for them is scarce in our little tanks. Once attached I dont think they can move.

 

[CadetMKultra]

I've had barnacles in my brackish tank for 6 months. They're happy and actively feeding. The eat the foodscraps from my shrimp and crabs. If you have other plankton feeders like anemones, the barnacles should do fine. I like them.