Oval Abalone
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliotis ovina |
| Common Name | Oval Abalone (frequently called the Sheep's Ear Abalone) |
| Distribution | Wide tropical Indo-West Pacific distribution, ranging from the Maldives and Southeast Asia up to southern Japan, and stretching south to northern Australia (including the Great Barrier Reef) and Tonga. |
| Habitat | Coral reef ecosystems, specifically inhabiting intertidal zones near the reef crest, shallow reef flats, and areas abundant with dead coral or limestone rubble. |
| Depth Range | 0 to 30 metres (most commonly concentrated in shallow waters under 10 metres). |
| Average Size | 4 to 6 centimetres. |
| Maximum Size | 4 to 6 centimetres. |
| Commercial Status | Non Commercial / Artisanal (heavily traded in the global shell craft market). |
| Key Characteristics | This species is characterised by a wide, rounded-oval shell featuring a low, flattened profile and highly distinct, radiating ribs that resemble lines on a leaf or a sheep's ear. The exterior is commonly a mottled greenish-brown or reddish colouration marked with prominent patches of white or cream. It typically features 4 to 6 relatively large, open respiratory pores that are slightly elevated. |
About Oval Abalone
The Oval Abalone (Haliotis ovina) is a widespread, tropical gastropod that breaks away from the cold-water preferences of Australia's larger commercial abalones. Thriving across the warm coral expanses of northern Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific, this nocturnal herbivore spends daylight hours wedged tightly inside coral crevices before emerging at night to graze on reef algae. While its small size limits its value as a mainstream food source, it is highly successful in the global commercial curio trade, where its beautifully pattern-rich, ear-shaped shells are harvested by local artisanal fisheries and sold worldwide for coastal decor and jewellery crafts.