[3] Two subspecies are known:[1][2] Haliotis discus is native to the shallow subtidal waters off Japan and Korea in the north western Pacific Ocean.

[1] H. discus discus typically hides between rocks found at depths of 5–10 m (16–33 ft), sometimes as deep as 30 m (98 ft), in the waters around Jeju Island in Korea and Kyushu, Shikoku, and all but the most north eastern areas of Honshu in Japan.

The interior surface has a peculiarly metallic luster, light bronze-green and coppery-red predominating.

"[6] Haliotis discus larvae settle on crust-forming coralline algae and feed on diatoms as they develop, moving out into kelp beds as they near maturity.

Adults feed on seaweeds such as Eisenia bicyclis, Undaria pinnatifida, and Ecklonia species.