Distressed Abalone  11/20/06
Hello,
<Hi there>
First let me start by expressing my thanks for your wonderful site. Since I received my first aquarium a year ago I have spent many hours lingering over the articles when researching the many questions I have had. I have always found the site informative and have usually found my answers here or on one of the many sites references by you. That said I'm currently not having a lot of luck finding much information on Abalones.
<We don't have much... and as far as I'm aware, there isn't much written re Haliotid captive husbandry... at other than the aquaculture level>
My initial research gave me the basic requirements for these interesting creatures and it appeared that my tank would be a good fit as a home. I went to the LFS I have used for a year now and they were helpful in giving my proper acclimation instructions for the two, 1.5 inch tank raised individuals we selected.
<Mmm, do you happen to know the species you have? Almost all cultured are cold-water... Haliotis rufescens, H. gigantea (from the U.S. west coast and Japan respectively) or a di-hybrid cross twixt these two large species... for the food trade... Not tropical>
The water parameters in the store were close to my own. Salinity of 1.024
<Would carefully keep this consistent (by pre-mixing new water, make-up/top-off daily) and 1.025 spg>
temp
78 degrees PH off by .1 between the two systems.
<Mmm... need to know, monitor alkalinity and biomineral content as well>
On arriving home I slowly acclimated these fellows for about 4 hours once placed in the tank one immediately gripped onto the glass and started slowly exploring, the other did not want to grip anything so was carefully placed upright on one of the rocks and the tank lights remained off for the night. This morning the fellow who didn't want to grip started demonstrated some odd behaviour (well I think it's odd for an abalone but I'm really not sure). He keeps flipping over on his back and waving his whole body around, I would almost think he's trying to detach from  his shell. We carefully flipped him back over several time, placing him in different areas of the tank and within an hour he's back on his back and waving around. When he's not waving he just lies there, on his back, looking dead. We've tried placing him on the glass and he'll start to grip for a for a short time and then he let's go. Right now we're just leaving him be and making sure no one else starts harassing him (like the shrimp and hermits) but is there anything else I should be doing for him? The water parameters all look good, no detectable ammonia, nitrite or nitrates, PH is 8.3. I look forward to any advice you can provide.
Thank you
Sharon
<... reads like you have introduced cool-water animals into a tropical setting (very common)... They won't live here for long if so. Please do find out the species you have purchased (from the dealer... it will be recorded on their manifest, or they can contact their supplier re), and get back to me. Bob Fenner>

Re: Distressed Abalone  11/21/06
Bob,
<Sharon>
Thank you for the quick response. Unfortunately I'm home later than the LFS is open but will be going in tomorrow with the one remaining abalone, the fellow displaying the odd behaviour did not make it through today. The second abalone that had been doing well is showing some signs of distress so he's headed back to the LFS he came from before my lack of research cuts he's life any shorter.
<Good>
I will find out the exact species and post here as I haven't given up on the idea yet. Do you have any suggestions for an appropriate tropical species, preferably of a small variety max 4" at maturity?
<These are exceedingly rare in the hobby... though there are several species on the worlds warm reefs>
For my water preparation I use RO/DI filtered water and premix using Instant Ocean. This normally stands for at least 24 hours prior to use.
<Good... a few days longer would be of benefit>
I use 5 gallon buckets for premixing and generally have 2 on the go at any given time, I maintain the at a consistent temperature with my tanks using 75w heaters in the buckets. This can climb up to 5 prepped if I'm behind on maintenance and doing a 20% bi-weekly instead of our normal 10% weekly water change for a main tank. You asked about additional monitoring for alkalinity and biomineral content. I do have an alkalinity test kit but it is not part of my regular regime, sounds like it should be.
<Yes>
As for biomineral content any advice you can provide on what I should be measuring, how often and what to look for would be appreciated.
<This information is posted on WWM... About 350 to 400 ppm of Calcium, approximately three times this concentration in Mg... a smattering of Sr>
As I said I got my first aquarium a year ago, and am now up to 3 still a neophyte and know it, but with the help of folks like you and those in your forums it certainly makes what could be an overwhelming challenge into an absolutely wonderful hobby (not sure that you can call something you spend this many hours and dollars on a hobby, obsession might be a better word)
<Ah, yes>
I'm not wanting to get too far of the original topic and certainly don't want to take more of your valuable time than necessary but is there a good forum on your site that I can post the general setups I have for all 3 tanks and what my long term vision is for them for some feedback.
<Mmm, here or our "sister" BB, WetWebFotos, or any one of a few other BB's... Aquarium Frontiers, Reefs.org are faves...>
I'm keenly interested in how to improve my setups, to improve the quality of life in my tanks. That said I am challenged in my reading that most of what I find seems to jump from the basics, of the how to setup a very simple first tank, to advanced conversations on calcium reactors and the merit/risk of ozone.
While I hope one day to be able to participate intelligently to the later I'm looking for help on getting me there.
Once again my thanks,
Sharon
<Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>