abalone

[makana]

anyone have any experience with indo-pacific abalone in a reef tank? is 29 gallons too small for these guys?
i have several macroalgae in the display tank too, will i need to relocate them?
i can feed it chaetomorpha regularly from the nutrient export fuge.
just trying to do some research on a specimen that i think is not too common in reefs so any input would be appreciated.

 

[scuba_steve]

the prob with abalone is they are cold water animals so unless you follow that route their survival is grim

 

[makana]

really...even the indo-pacific ones, Haliotis sp.? i thought they are tropical. either way, i think i am over the idea - i love my macros! even though i have cuttings growing in the fuge, the display macros are a beautiful element that i couldnt bear to see go to the fuge for the likes of any angel, tang, or abalone.

 

[makana]

well i got an abalone a couple weeks ago and it seems happy as could be. its more nocturnal because it dislikes bright light. Haliotis sp. are a cool choice IMO for a well developed reef.

 

[makana]

Abalone are still doing GREAT! they come out during the day now too
they do NOT eat macroalgae, only micro. and they do a good job on the microalgae for sure.
a great addition IMO.

 

[klam]

mmmmm... abalone soup.

 

[Jonathan G.]

any pics on what they look like i dont know what they are.

 

[makana]

no pics...sorry. i have no cam so not now, but when my partner visits, pics will be posted
here is a link to a pic of what two of mine looks like. http://www.poisson-or.com/media/tn_Haliothis_varia_3706-00.jpg
the other one i have is much flatter and green. they are gastropods, like snails, with one shell and as klam said, are more commonly foun in food than reef tanks unfortunately. they do a great job on undesirable algae in my tank. plus now that theyve been in there for a while, they are not shy at all! they come oout all day and eat too, but they are still more active at night.
here is another link of pics of shells of this species: http://www.vetigastropoda.com/ABMAP/varia.html

heres a link to liveaquaria's abalone: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=561
i paid $25 for my green one up here in the cuts and i got the reddish ones for 2 for $15 in the city (where things are always cheaper) but 18 for an abalone isnt bad. i have 2 in my 29g and one in the 25g.

HTH
GOOD LUCK