Abalone

Care Summary

The Red Abalone is a stunning, large-shelled grazer that can become a true showpiece in a mature reef, and serious hobbyists prize it for its voracious appetite for coralline and filamentous algae. Give it a roomy tank with extensive live rock, stable parameters, and low nitrates, and keep it away from aggressive tankmates that might harass or flip it. The biggest challenge is oxygen and water quality: abalone are very sensitive to low dissolved oxygen and any ammonia spikes, so strong flow and a reliable skimmer are non-negotiable. Feed regularly with dried seaweed sheets clipped to the rock, especially in tanks where natural algae growth cannot keep pace with its appetite.