Observations on the spawning, development and rearing of the South African abaloneHaliotis midaeLinn.

A description is given of the first successful controlled breeding of the South African abalone Haliotis midae. Gametes of ripe abalone were obtained from spontaneous spawnings as well as by subjecting animals to spawning stimuli. The larval period is five days at 20°C and seven days at 17,5°C. The first respiratory pore is completed at a shell length of 2,3 mm and the first shell ridge can be observed at approximately 23 mm. Benthic diatoms on fibreglass plates served as food for post-larval stages to a length of 5–8 mm. Larger juveniles were fed the seaweeds Plocamium spp. and Ulva fasciata. Shell pigmentation is affected by the food consumed. Variable growth rates for individuals from the same spawning were observed.