Tags: Crustacean.
Balanus aquila is a species of acorn barnacle in the family Balanidae. It is found off the California coast from San Francisco to San Diego from the bottom of the intertidal zone down to depths of 18 m. It is preyed upon by fish sea stars and certain carnivorous snails. Fish also rub against the barnacles to clean themselves of parasiteswhich wears the barnacles shells to a smooth surface.