Care specifications
| Type | Snail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Max size | 1 in |
| Lifespan | 1–2 years |
| Temperature | 68–82 °F |
| pH | 7–8.5 |
| General hardness | 6–18 dGH |
| Calcium needs | High |
| Minimum tank size | 5 gallons |
| Diet | Algae, Biofilm, Diatoms, Algae wafers |
| Roles | Algae eater |
| Plant safe | Yes |
| Betta compatible | Yes |
| Breeds in freshwater | No |
| Population growth | None |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Brackish water note: Nerites lay eggs in freshwater, but the larvae only develop in brackish-to-marine water, so the population can never grow in your tank. The hard white eggs they glue to glass and driftwood are the one real drawback — they never hatch and take months to disappear.
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Frequently asked questions
Will nerite snails breed and take over my tank?
No. Females scatter hard white eggs on glass and wood, but the larvae need brackish water to survive, so nothing ever hatches in a freshwater tank. The trade-off is cosmetic: the unhatched eggs look like sesame seeds and can sit on driftwood for months.
Why does my nerite keep climbing out of the tank?
Nerites are intertidal animals and will wander above the waterline, especially in soft or dirty water. Use a lid, check your parameters, and if you find one dried out on the floor, drop it back in — they can survive surprisingly long out of water.
Do I need to feed my nerite snail?
In a tank with visible algae or diatoms, no. In a very clean tank, yes — nerites are stubborn grazers that often ignore algae wafers, so a starving nerite in a spotless tank is a real risk. One nerite per 5 gallons of algae-growing surface is a good ratio.
Zebra Nerite Snail appears in
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