Donkey-ear Abalone
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliotis asinina |
| Common Name | Donkey-ear Abalone (also known as the Ass's Ear Shell) |
| Distribution | Found in tropical waters, ranging from northern Australia (Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia) across the Indo-West Pacific region. |
| Habitat | Coral reefs, shallow intertidal flats, and under coral boulders, typically associated with fast-flowing water and abundance of encrusting algae. |
| Depth Range | 0 to 10 metres. |
| Average Size | 5 to 7 centimetres. |
| Maximum Size | 12 centimetres. |
| Commercial Status | Cultured and Wild-Harvested. |
| Key Characteristics | This distinct species features a highly atypical, smooth, and elongated ear-shaped shell that resembles a donkey's ear. Its exterior is mostly smooth, lacking heavy ridges, and displays a glossy olive-green or brown mottled colouration with triangular patterns. The animal's massive, colourful mantle is too large to fully fit inside its shell, and the margin bears 5 to 7 open respiratory holes. |
About Donkey-ear Abalone
The Donkey-ear Abalone (Haliotis asinina) is a highly unusual, tropical mollusc that breaks the typical round, dome-like mould of the abalone family. Notable for its rapid movement and an oversized, highly patterned mantle that spills over its shell, this active grazer is a key species in tropical reef ecosystems. Because it has the fastest growth rate of any abalone variety, it is heavily utilised in commercial tropical aquaculture throughout Southeast Asia and northern Australia to meet global seafood market demands.
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