The New Zealand Blackfoot-Abalone

Haliotis Iris or Blackfoot-Abalone
Picture 3: The New Zealand Blackfoot-Abalone in its natural habitat © Copyright Eyris Blue Pearl Company

This sea snail, which grows up to 18 cm in length and 13 cm wide, is the New Zealand representative of some hundred Abalone species found world-wide. Its underwater habitat is from a depth close to the surface to approximately 30 meters, where the water is not only clear and rich on oxygen, but where seaweed grows in larger amounts.  This species gets its name from the dark brown to black colour of its foot. It develops under moderate climate and the rich supplement of seaweed nurtures colourful mother-of-pearl.

Picture 4: The mollusc © Copyright Eyris Blue Pearl Company

The blue, green and red colours of the numerous layers of Nacre distinguish this from any other kind of mollusc. Its distinct lustre is usually deep and strong and has caused the Abalone to be dubbed ‘the opal of the South-Sea’.

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