Donkey Ear Abalone

Haliotis asinina

The shell of the Abalones of the Haliotis genus is tear-shaped and has an irridescent interior. The mantle has numerous papillae. It is generally nocturnal, finding refuge in holes or crevices in the rocks or coral during the day, and coming out to forage at night, using its foot to glide over the substrate and coral rubble. The foot attaches very firmly, so use extreme caution if attempting to remove it from glass or rocks.

The Abalone is useful in reef aquariums because it eats algae. The Abalone has a calcium-based shell which protects it from most predators, but requires the maintenance of proper calcium levels in the water for proper growth. Nitrates should be kept at low levels and it should never be exposed to copper-based medications.

While its diet is almost exclusively algae, it would benefit from supplementation with dried seaweed, blanched lettuce, spinach, or Spirulina sheets/tablets.