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Invertebrates |  |
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda
Range: Indian Ocean,m Indo-Pacific Region, Pacific Ocean
Size: 8 in. Space:: 100+ gal. Diet: Algae, diatoms, detritus
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful
Natural History: The Abalone is a snail that is found on reefs across the Pacific Ocean. The Abalone genus Haliotis includes species that grow to only an inch in length and others that grow up to 8 inches in length. The abalone is food for many other animals, including Humans and California Sea Otters. They are capable of clamping down on rocks for protection. They have a radula that serves as a rasp for raking algae off of surfaces.
Husbandry: The Abalone is a good reef tank animal. It should be provided plenty of live rock in a brightly lit aquarium to encourage a healthy growth of algae. Removing it from a rock may actually tear its shell from its soft body. It should be acclimated very slowly to a home aquarium, preferably by drip-acclimation. Some species only grow to a few inches in length and will only need a 50 gallon tank or less.
AKA: Ear-Shells, Muttonfish