Mass Rearing of Barnacle Cyprids in the Laboratory

Abstract

INTEREST in laboratory experiments on ships' fouling organisms is increasing, yet attempts to rear barnacle larvæ to cyprid stage have generally met with only limited success^1–6. It therefore seems appropriate to place on record a reliable rearing method, which has been developed here to provide material in connexion with experiments on the use of ultrasonic antifouling equipment. The barnacle mostly used was Elminius modestus, as this important fouling organism produces nauplii all the year round. As a result of many series of experiments the following simple technique was evolved.