Elegant Abalone
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliotis elegans |
| Common Name | Elegant Abalone |
| Distribution | Endemic to the temperate waters of Western Australia, ranging predominantly along the mid-west coast down towards Fremantle. |
| Habitat | Subtidal limestone reefs, specifically occurring as a solitary, highly cryptic grazer that hides deep within dark caves and underneath heavy rock slabs during daylight hours. |
| Depth Range | 4 to 33 metres. |
| Average Size | 8 centimetres. |
| Maximum Size | 11 centimetres |
| Commercial Status | Non-commercial (classified as a rare and protected species). |
| Key Characteristics | This uncommon species is defined by its distinctively narrow, elongated, and flattened shell structure. Its outer surface is densely sculpted with rough, prominent spiral ribs and scaly ridges, creating a dirty yellowish-brown or ferruginous-buff exterior marbled with bright reddish-brown streaks. Inside, the shell is lined with a brilliantly shimmering, furrowed nacreous layer that mirrors the outer ribbing. |
About Elegant Abalone
The Elegant Abalone (Haliotis elegans) is one of the rarest, most visually striking, and heavily protected gastropods unique to Western Australia. Because of its specialised, narrow habitat requirements and naturally low population density, this nocturnal alga-grazer is classified as vulnerable on global conservation indices. It is completely protected from commercial and recreational harvesting. Instead, it is highly valued within scientific and malacological communities for its beautifully elongated shape and the brilliant iridescence of its inner mother-of-pearl.