Clathrate Abalone
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliotis clathrata |
| Common Name | Clathrate Abalone (frequently called the Lovely Abalone) |
| Distribution | Widespread throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific and Central Pacific regions, extending from the East African coast and Madagascar across to northern Australia and Southeast Asia. |
| Habitat | Subtidal coral reef ecosystems, typically found hiding deep within dead coral branches, under limestone slabs, and inside reef crevices. |
| Depth Range | 0 to 40 metres. |
| Average Size | 1.5 to 3 centimetres. |
| Maximum Size | 6 centimetres. |
| Commercial Status | Non Commercial |
| Key Characteristics | This small, heavily depressed species features a rounded-oval shell sculptured with fine, equal spiral cords cut by minute growth lines and wavy radial folds. The exterior is highly variable, ranging from solid dark coral red to mottled combinations of dull red, green, and white. The shell margin displays roughly 6 elevated, circular respiratory pores, whilst the interior is lined with a brilliantly iridescent, silvery sea-green and red nacre. |
About Clathrate Abalone
The Clathrate Abalone (Haliotis clathrata) is a diminutive, highly secretive sea snail that populates the warm, tropical waters of northern Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific. Known within malacological communities as the lovely abalone, this species avoids open reef faces, opting to shelter securely inside complex coral cavities to escape predation. Because its tiny maximum size falls drastically short of commercial food market viability, it is entirely omitted from commercial fisheries. Instead, its intensely colourful, finely latticed shell is highly sought after by beachcombers and international specimen collectors