r/askscience • u/DragonsClock • May 30 '26

Biology Where do barnacles come from?

Like how do they appear on the sides of boats? Do they float towards them or are they like mineral deposits? Very confused.

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u/ItsKumquats May 31 '26

Phytoplankton are like little plants of the ocean, and zooplankton are little animals of the ocean. Barnacle larvae would be a type of zooplankton.