Abalone Haliotis Asinina

Abalone (Haliotis asinina)

Common Name: Tropical Abalone
Scientific Name: Haliotis asinina
Size: 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm)

Description

The Tropical Abalone (Haliotis asinina) is a beautiful herbivorous marine snail known for its colorful shell and excellent algae-grazing ability. It is an active nocturnal grazer that helps keep live rock clean by consuming microalgae and biofilm. With proper care, it can become a long-lived and beneficial member of a reef aquarium.

Care Level

Easy to Moderate

Reef Safe

✅ Yes

Diet

• Microalgae
• Film algae
• Diatoms
• Seaweed (Nori)
• Herbivore pellets (supplemental)

If natural algae become limited, regular feeding with dried seaweed (Nori) is recommended.

Aquarium Requirements

• Mature reef aquarium
• Stable water parameters
• Plenty of live rock with natural algae growth
• Moderate to strong water movement

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 76–80°F (24–27°C)
• Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH

Compatibility

Peaceful and reef safe. Safe with corals, clams, and most reef inhabitants. Avoid housing with aggressive predators such as triggerfish, large wrasses, puffers, or crabs that may attack mollusks.