Nerite Snails

Horned Nerite Snails

Horned nerite snails primarily originate from Southeast Asia, native to the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. They inhabit coastal streams and mangrove forests. They are highly adaptable and can be found in both freshwater and brackish waters where streams meet the sea. Because they require brackish water for their larvae to develop, almost all nerite snails in hobby aquariums are wild-caught. In the wild they are found clinging to rocks and driftwood rich in algae and biofilm. They are highly prized for the aquarium algae clean up crew.

  • Scientific name: Clithon Corona
  • Size: 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter
  • Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
  • Water parameters:
    • pH range: 7.0 to 8.2, below 7 is detrimental for shell
    • Temperature range: 65F to 82F
    • Water hardness: 6 to 20 dGH (107-358 ppm), calcium important for shell, 5 to 12 dKH (90-215 ppm)
    • Stability, consistency more important than chasing any "perfect" numbers
  • Diet: They are good algae eaters, need calcium rich foods for shell, feeding on algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, green beans, spinach), snail pellets, cuttlebone for calcium, no interest in aquatic plant leaves, so aquascape is safe
  • Breeding: Difficult to breed in captivity, requiring brackish waters, preventing tank overpopulation
  • Temperament: Peaceful, work well in community, ei., with small peaceful fish and shrimp
  • Water flow: Coming from slower moving waters, they like gentle yet thorough water flow, well oxygenated but not turbulent
  • Filtration: They like clean water with proper balance of nutrients, oxygen, CO2, moderate light, like most aquatic plants, weekly 25% water changes, monitor water conditions regularly

Tiger Nerite Snails

Tiger nerite snails originate from Southeast Asia, Indonesia, India, and Africa. They inhabit coastal streams, brackish estuaries, and fresh water streams. They are highly adaptable and can be found in both freshwater and brackish waters where streams meet the sea. Because they require brackish water for their larvae to develop, almost all nerite snails in hobby aquariums are wild-caught. In the wild they are found clinging to rocks and driftwood rich in algae and biofilm. They are highly prized for the aquarium algae clean up crew.

  • Scientific name: Neritina (Vittina) Semiconica
  • Size: 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter
  • Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
  • Water parameters:
    • pH range: 7.0 to 8.2, below 7 is detrimental for shell
    • Temperature range: 68F to 82F
    • Water hardness: 6 to 20 dGH (107-358 ppm), calcium important for shell, 5 to 12 dKH (90-215 ppm)
    • Stability, consistency more important than chasing any "perfect" numbers
  • Diet: They are good algae eaters, need calcium rich foods for shell, feeding on algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, green beans, spinach), snail pellets, cuttlebone for calcium, no interest in aquatic plant leaves, so aquascape is safe
  • Breeding: Difficult to breed in captivity, requiring brackish waters, preventing tank overpopulation
  • Temperament: Peaceful, work well in community, ei., with small peaceful fish and shrimp
  • Water flow: Coming from slower moving waters, they like gentle yet thorough water flow, well oxygenated but not turbulent
  • Filtration: They like clean water with proper balance of nutrients, oxygen, CO2, moderate light, like most aquatic plants, weekly 25% water changes, monitor water conditions regularly

Zebra Nerite Snails

Zebra nerite snails originate from southern and eastern Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, and South Africa. They inhabit coastal streams, brackish estuaries, and fresh water streams. They are highly adaptable and can be found in both freshwater and brackish waters where streams meet the sea. Because they require brackish water for their larvae to develop, almost all nerite snails in hobby aquariums are wild-caught. In the wild they are found clinging to rocks and driftwood rich in algae and biofilm. They are highly prized for the aquarium algae clean up crew.

  • Scientific name: Neritina (Vittina) Natalensis
  • Size: 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter
  • Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
  • Water parameters:
    • pH range: 7.0 to 8.2, below 7 is detrimental for shell
    • Temperature range: 65F to 82F
    • Water hardness: 6 to 20 dGH (107-358 ppm), calcium important for shell, 5 to 12 dKH (90-215 ppm)
    • Stability, consistency more important than chasing any "perfect" numbers
  • Diet: They are good algae eaters, need calcium rich foods for shell, feeding on algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, green beans, spinach), snail pellets, cuttlebone for calcium, no interest in aquatic plant leaves, so aquascape is safe
  • Breeding: Difficult to breed in captivity, requiring brackish waters, preventing tank overpopulation
  • Temperament: Peaceful, work well in community, ei., with small peaceful fish and shrimp
  • Water flow: Coming from slower moving waters, they like gentle yet thorough water flow, well oxygenated but not turbulent
  • Filtration: They like clean water with proper balance of nutrients, oxygen, CO2, moderate light, like most aquatic plants, weekly 25% water changes, monitor water conditions regularly

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