Nerite snails can be both freshwater or saltwater snails. In this article, we discuss the freshwater aquarium snails. Nerite snails have a reputation for being proficient algae-eating snails while also being peaceful snails that get along with other peaceful tankmates. Here’s everything you need to know about caring for freshwater nerite snails.
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Color Form: | Varies |
| Lifespan: | 1-2 Years |
| Size: | Up to 1 inch |
| Diet: | Herbivore |
| Family: | Neritidae |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 5 Gallons |
| Tank Set-Up: | Freshwater: Rocks and Driftwood |
| Compatibility: | Peaceful Community |
Table of Contents
Nerite Snail Images
Appearance
Nerite Snails have hard coiled shells on top of a muscular body. The body, referred to as the ‘foot’, moves side to side to move the snail forward. They have four tentacles around their face.
Healthy nerite snails grow up to 1 inch in length. And, there are different species with different colors and marks. However, they all share the same shape and structure.
Types Of Nerite Snails
These are the different types of nerite snails:
Zebra Nerite Snail
Zebra nerite snails have stripes on their shells that point toward the center of the coil. These stripes are usually varying shades of black and yellow.
Tiger Nerite Snail
Tiger nerite snails resemble zebra nerites but their shells are more a shade of orange. The markings are mostly jagged compared to a zebra nerite.
Olive Nerite Snail
Olive nerite snails are common aquarium pets. They have an olive-colored shell that usually lacks markings or patterns. The coil is usually a black line which is the only distinctive color on their olive shell.
Black Racer Nerite Snail
Black Racer Nerite Snails‘ shells are a gleaming ebony. The shell has slight grooves that run parallel to the aperture all the way back.
Horned Nerite Snail
Horned nerite snails usually have thick black and yellow stripes (they can also be stripeless). They are called horned nerites because along one stripe is a pair of dark “horns”.
Behavior
Nerite snails are peaceful and timid. They spend most of their time exploring and in search of food. They prefer to stay to themselves and won’t disturb other aquarium pets.
Snails also need sleep. Their sleep happens in 2-3 day cycles rather than a 24-hour cycle. So, you might see your snail motionless for extended periods of time. There’s no need for concern unless something would make you think that the snail is actually dead or sick.
Size
The average size of nerite snails ranges from 1/2 to 1 inch in size. Nerite snails usually grow to 1 inch in size during their lifespan but there are instances where some snails grow to 1 1/2 inches.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a nerite snail is about one year. With proper water conditions and a healthy diet, a nerite snail can live to 2 years or more.
Diet
Nerite snails are always eating as they move. Nerite Snails are one of the best algae eating snails. Their diet can include soft film algae, soft green algae, soft brown algae, and brown diatoms. You will need to supplement their diet with small bits of cucumber, blanched spinach and lettuce.
Tank Mates
Freshwater aquarium fish like:
- Cory Catfish
- Otocinclus Catfish
- Baby Guppies
Other Snails:
- Nerite Snails
- Gold Inca Snails
- Ivory Snails
- Mystery Snails
- Trumpet Snails
- Japanese Trapdoor Snail
Some species of aquarium shrimp:
Avoid Goldfish and cichlids like the Jack Dempsey as these fish can attack or nip at the snail. They can also devour the snail. Other snail eaters like crayfish are also not recommended.
Tank Size
A single nerite snail can inhabit a 5-gallon aquarium. For every 5-gallons of water, you can add another nerite snail. For example, if you have a 10-gallon aquarium, you can add two nerite snails.
Water Parameters
Nerite snails need ideal water parameters to survive. These snails are hardy and easy to care for but they still need optimal water conditions to live. Try to aim for:
- Aquarium pH: 7.2 – 7.5.
- Water Temperature: 72 – 78 Degrees Fahrenheit.
- Hardness: Hard.
- Lighting: Normal aquarium lighting.
Things To Consider
How To Buy Healthy Nerite Snails
When you buy nerite snails, their shells should be free from cracks and signs of wear and tear. The snail should be active, stick to a hard surface, or moving about the tank. Do not buy nerite snails that are upside down or motionless. If you do buy a snail, make sure that the shell is not empty.
Live Plants
Planted aquariums provide extra food for the nerite snail to eat. Live aquarium plants shed plant matter that the snail may eat. They won’t, however, eat the live plant so slower-growing aquarium plants such as java fern are ok to use.
Reproduction & Nerite Snail Eggs
Nerite snails do reproduce in freshwater aquariums. However, the eggs/baby nerite snails need brackish water for reproduction to be successful. You may see Nerite snail eggs on hard surfaces like decorations, filters, or the heater. The eggs won’t hatch/baby snails won’t survive in freshwater as they need saltwater to grow. All you have to do is scrape the eggs off the surface and remove them from the tank.
References:
- https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=70159#null
- First evidence of sleep in snails – https://phys.org/news/2011-02-evidence-snails.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substrate_(aquarium)#Types_of_substrate
- Wet Adhesion and Adhesive Locomotion of Snails on Anti-Adhesive Non-Wetting Surfaces – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3365046/
- How do snails obtain food? – http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio210/s2012/hegge_jaco/nutrition.htm
- Spawning and intra-capsular development of Neritina zebra – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07924259.2009.9652299
- Mollusca: Gastropoda – Morphology
- Anyone have tips for removing Nerite snail eggs from driftwood? : Aquariums
- Inflectarius inflectus
- Radula | mollusk anatomy
- Copper Hazards to Fish, Wildlife, and Invertebrates: A Synoptic Review
- Wet Adhesion and Adhesive Locomotion of Snails on Anti-Adhesive Non-Wetting Surfaces
- First evidence of sleep in snails Feb 18, 2011
- Spawning and intra-capsular development of Neritina zebra (Bruguière, 1792) (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Neritidae) under laboratory conditions
- What to do with Unhatched Nerite Snail Eggs?
- Nerite (algae-eating) Snails Zebra Nerita or Nerite Snail, Green Nerita or Nerite Snail and Olive Nerita or Nerite Snail.
- Nerite Snail Care | Planted Aquarium Snails – Video
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Nerite snails good for?
Nerite snails are popular for their various patterns and colors, as well as their algae-eating benefits. These snails clean algae off of glass, plants, and decorations. They eat hair algae, and they keep your substrate clean and the correct color.
What do you feed a Nerite snail?
Food: Nerite Snails eat phytoplankton, especially algae, Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, Film Algae, and vegetable bits. Supplements: Supplement the food of Nerite Snail with the small bits or the flakes of cucumber, blanched spinach, and lettuce, and courgette.
Do Nerite snails reproduce asexually?
Most snails reproduce asexually, but nerite snails do not. The female produces eggs for the male to fertilize, much like fish. She spreads the eggs throughout the tank. But, nerite snail eggs only develop into larvae if provided brackish water conditions.
How many nerite snails per gallon?
Aim for 1 snail per 5 gallons of water. So, 4 nerite snails for a 20-gallon tank. Be sure not to add too many snails per gallon as there won’t be enough algae for the snails to survive on.
How do you take care of a Nerite snail?
Nerites prefer water pH on the alkaline side around 7.5 and aquarium water on the hard side with a moving current. Nerite Snail care also includes checking for Ammonia spikes and high levels of Nitrate. Care also involves avoiding any sort of exposure to copper and other medications. These things can be fatal to snails.
How do I know if my Nerite snail is eating enough?
If you don’t see any visible algae in your tank, your nerite snails may not be getting enough to eat. Luckily, you can supplement their diet with algae wafers. If you’re only feeding one or two snails, you can separate the wafer into quarters and put a smaller amount in the tank.
