Abalone Snail

The marine Abalone snail Haliotis asinina is also known as Donkey’s Ear Snail and Green Abalone Snail. This snail is useful in the reef aquarium because it consumes algae. Possessing a single piece shell that is dark green to brown in color, the body and large foot are exposed on the underside. When threatened, the body and foot retract into the shell. When mature this snail will have creamy colored triangular shaped markings on its shell.

This member of the Haliotidae family is a nocturnal herbivore. Its muscular foot allows it to cling tightly to rocks or glass in its search of food. While its diet is almost exclusively algae, it will benefit from supplements of dried seaweed, blanched lettuce, spinach, or spirulina.

Approximate size: 1” to 3-1/2”