Haliotis asinina -Asses Ear abalone- is the largest of the tropical abalone and is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific Region (McNarnara and Johnson 1995). It is commonly found in the intertidal zone and upper subtidal zone throughout its range (Tahil and Juinio-Menez 1999). It has the fastest recorded wild growth rate of all the abalones and can grow to a maximum shell length of 111mm but this can vary with geographical location (Day and Fleming 1992, Lucas et al 2006). The skin of adult H. asinina is an olive green with brown patches and white fringes on the frill (see picture). Sexual maturity is reached within 12 months (Lucas et al 2006).

The Asses Ear abalone is in the haliotid family which are edible marine snails and comprise around 100 species worldwide (Miller et at 2009). The adductor muscle is a delicacy in parts of the world which has led to it being extensively harvested from the wild. Aquaculture farms are growing abalone commercially (Miller ET at 2009). They have a pair of bipectinate ctenidia which are well-developed epipodial tentacles and a rhipidoglossate radula (Lindberg 1989). They all have pores along the outer edge of the shell which are distinguishing features.