Nerite Snail
Neritina natalensis
Neritidae
About
Nerite snails are among the most effective and best-behaved algae eaters available, sold in numerous patterned forms (zebra, tiger, olive, horned) all needing hard, alkaline water for healthy shell growth. Their great advantage for the community aquarium is that they cannot reproduce in fresh water: females deposit hard white eggs but the larvae require brackish or marine conditions to develop, so populations never explode. They will, however, climb and can escape an open-topped tank.
Care
Provide hard, alkaline water (GH 6-15, pH 7.2-8.2) for shell health and a mature tank with algae to graze. Copper-sensitive; use a lid as they readily climb out. Will not overpopulate in fresh water.
Diet
Dedicated algae grazer clearing film, diatom and green-spot algae. In clean tanks supplement with algae wafers or blanched vegetables to prevent starvation.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (27)
Possible with care (12)
Avoid (2)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.