{"product_id":"tropical-abalone","title":"Tropical Abalone | Haliotis asinina","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Tropical Abalone is one of the more unusual grazers in the hobby — a flattened, single-shelled mollusc that clamps to the rockwork and mows through film and turf algae with a surprisingly broad foot. Its shell hides an iridescent inner layer of green, blue and mother-of-pearl, and it is completely reef safe. A genuinely eye-catching pick for the keen reefer who wants something different in the clean-up crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaliotis asinina is a fast-growing tropical abalone found on shallow coral reefs and rocky reef flats across the Indo-Pacific, including northern Australian waters. It shelters in crevices and under ledges by day and grazes exposed algae-covered rock at night. Recreate this with plenty of mature live rock, good water movement and stable, well-oxygenated reef conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe elongated, ear-shaped shell gives the species its \"donkey's ear\" name, with a row of small respiratory holes along one edge and a beautiful iridescent interior. Shells are usually mottled green and brown, often dusted with coralline. Most aquarium specimens sit around 6–9 cm, with larger wild animals reaching up to roughly 12 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and completely harmless to corals, fish and other invertebrates. It spends its time grazing hard surfaces and poses no threat to tank mates, though its strong foot means it can nudge unsecured frags as it roams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA dedicated herbivore that grazes film algae, diatoms and soft turf from rock and glass. It has a hearty appetite, so in a clean, well-maintained reef it will need supplementary feeding with dried marine algae (nori) to avoid slowly starving. Best added to a mature system with an established algae supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest kept in an established reef of at least 115 litres with excellent water quality, strong oxygenation and stable salinity. Abalone are more demanding than the average grazing snail — they dislike warm, stagnant or fluctuating conditions and appreciate cooler, well-circulated water toward the lower end of the tropical range. Like all invertebrates they are highly intolerant of copper and sensitive to sudden change, so always drip-acclimate over an hour or more. Provide plenty of shaded overhangs where it can rest during the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaliotis asinina is farmed commercially through induced broadcast spawning, but it is not bred in the home aquarium — the planktonic larvae require dedicated hatchery culture well beyond a normal reef setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHaliotis asinina\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical Abalone, Donkey's Ear Abalone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific, including northern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 12 cm (commonly 6–9 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–4 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e115 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore – film \u0026amp; turf algae, diatoms; supplement with dried marine algae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecific Gravity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature reef and marine clean-up crews\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (marine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcellent alongside reef-safe snails (Trochus, Astraea, Nassarius), hermit crabs, shrimp and peaceful reef fish that will not harass a slow grazer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePredatory or invertebrate-eating species — large hermit crabs, wrasses, puffers, triggerfish and crabs that may attack it or dislodge it from the rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian marine livestock for in-store collection or local delivery. Drip-acclimate all new invertebrates and never expose them to copper-based medications.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351899586851,"sku":"BA8155-S-AU","price":99.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234109571363,"sku":"BA8155","price":114.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/tropical-abalone-43078814564643.webp?v=1790305367","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/tropical-abalone","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}