Whitley's Abalone
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliotis glabra |
| Common Name | Whitley's Abalone (often referred to as Hargraves' Abalone) |
| Distribution | Endemic to Australia, with a specialised distribution along the temperate coastal waters of New South Wales and Queensland. |
| Habitat | Subtidal rocky reefs, commonly found hidden deep within narrow crevices, caves, and fissures, often preferring vertical rock surfaces to avoid predators. |
| Depth Range | 10 to 40 metres (deep-water specialised species). |
| Average Size | 6 to 8 centimetres. |
| Maximum Size | 10 centimetres. |
| Commercial Status | Non-commercial / Protected (A rare, non-harvested species). |
| Key Characteristics | This species is highly distinguished by its elongated, flattened, and deeply sculpted shell, which features rough spiral cords and very prominent, thick radial ribs, creating a strongly "bumpy" exterior. The exterior colouration is a mix of reddish-brown and light cream patches. The shell margin displays 5 to 7 moderately elevated, open respiratory pores. |
About Whitley's Abalone
Whitley's Abalone (Haliotis hargravesi) is an uncommon, beautifully textured sea snail native to the deep rocky reefs of eastern Australia. It is a highly specialised nocturnal grazer, remaining deeply concealed in dark crevices during the day and emerging only at night to scrape algae from vertical surfaces. Due to its cryptic nature, relatively small size, and strict protection in various marine zones, it is entirely excluded from commercial fisheries. It is highly prized by collectors for its ornate, rough-hewn shell, which sets it apart from the smoother, large abalones found in the same coastal environments.