What's This on the Coral?

[the_cat_keeper]

Hi, All,

This fella lives inside the hard corals - typically faviidae - and would move in and out of the coral. A moment, you'd see its "fins" (?) waving and then in the next moment, it's retracted into the coral. A while later, it comes out again. What is its name?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

 

[Rick Murchison]

So many worms, so little time...
Leslie? Help!
Rick

 

[ryan115]

When you say that it was waving, was it moving on its own or just by the current?

 

[LeslieH]

If only it were a worm! Instead it's the laziest crustacean of all - a barnacle. Basically they lay on their backs inside their homes & kick food into their mouths with their feet. There are many species which prefer to settle on corals & are soon overgrown except for the opening.

 

[ryan115]

thats exactly where I was going with my line of questions but Leslie you beat me to it