Nerite Snail
Neritina sp.
Min Tank Size
38L
Adult Size
2.5 cm
Lifespan
2 years
About
Nerite snails (Neritina sp.) originate from brackish coastal waters and tidal zones across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America, but they've become one of the most popular freshwater cleanup crew members in the hobby.
Several varieties exist: Zebra Nerites with their bold black and yellow stripes, Tiger Nerites with jagged orange patterning, Olive Nerites in smooth brown-green, and the Horned Nerite with its distinctive shell spikes. All behave essentially the same in a tank, so it mostly comes down to which pattern catches your eye.
They're relentless algae grazers. Green spot algae, green dust algae, brown diatoms on glass, biofilm on rocks and driftwood - nerites work through all of it with surprising efficiency. A small group in a well-lit tank can make a visible difference within days. They don't touch healthy plant tissue, so planted tank keepers love them.
Water hardness matters more than most beginners realize. Nerites come from mineral-rich environments, and soft or acidic water gradually erodes their shells, leaving pitting or cracking. A pH above 7.0 and moderate to hard water keeps them healthy long-term. Temperature flexibility is decent, anywhere from 22 to 28 degrees Celsius works fine. Feed them supplemental algae wafers or blanched vegetables if your tank is too clean for their grazing needs. A hungry nerite will still stay busy, but shell quality can decline without enough calcium and minerals in the diet and water column.
Browse real community tanks featuring nerites to see how well they pair with shrimp, livebearers, and planted setups.
Water Parameters
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Compatibility
Nerites pair beautifully with peaceful community fish like tetras, rasboras, livebearers, corydoras, and dwarf gouramis. They're completely safe with shrimp and make a popular pairing in shrimp tanks because they compete for different food sources without conflict. Avoid any fish known to eat snails: pufferfish of all kinds, assassin snails, clown loaches, and most cichlids will make short work of them. Some individual bettas leave snails alone while others chip at their shells relentlessly, so it's genuinely hit or miss. Horned Nerites have extra shell protection that sometimes deters harassers.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common mistake is keeping nerites in soft, acidic water and then wondering why their shells look pitted or chalky after a few months. Hard, alkaline water is non-negotiable for long-term health. Supplement with cuttlebone or crushed coral if your tap water is soft. The other surprise is egg laying: nerites deposit small white sesame-seed-like eggs all over glass and hardscape, and while they can't hatch in freshwater, the eggs are tough to remove and aesthetically annoying to some keepers. Plan for it rather than being caught off guard.
Behavior & Aggression
Nerite snails show no aggression whatsoever. They don't interact with tankmates beyond occasionally climbing over them while grazing. There are no triggers, no territory, no threat displays. If anything, they're the species being bothered rather than doing the bothering. Larger cichlids, pufferfish, loaches, and even some gouramis may harass or eat them, so aggression in a nerite tank is always directed at the snail, not from it.
Things to Know
- Soft or acidic water dissolves their shells over time, needs hard alkaline water.
- Will lay white eggs on glass and decor, these cannot hatch in freshwater.
- May escape the tank, keep a tight lid especially at night.
- Cannot be kept with assassin snails or any snail-eating species.
- Lid required, they are known to climb out of tanks.
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