Zebra Nerite Snail

Nerite Snails (Neritina species) are one of the most popular and effective algae-eating snails in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Known for their striking patterns and exceptional cleaning abilities, these hardy snails are a favorite among planted tank enthusiasts for keeping glass, rocks, and plants looking spotless.

Key Features & Appearance

• Coloration & Patterns: Highly variable and beautiful. Common types include Zebra Nerites (black and gold stripes), Tiger Nerites (orange/yellow with black spots or broken stripes), Olive Nerites (solid greenish-brown). Each snail has its own unique shell pattern — no two are exactly alike.
• Size: Adults typically grow to 0.5 – 1 inch (1.2 – 2.5 cm).
• Behavior: Active, peaceful scavengers that spend most of their time grazing on algae, biofilm, and uneaten food. They are excellent at cleaning aquarium glass, hardscape, and plant leaves without damaging healthy plants.
• Lifespan: 1–3 years with good care.

Nerite snails are brackish-water breeders in the wild, so they do not reproduce in freshwater aquariums. This makes them an ideal “no-surprise” addition to your tank — population stays exactly as many as you add.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: Suitable for tanks 5 gallons and up.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 18–28°C (64–82°F); optimal 22–26°C.
  • pH: 6.5–8.5 (very adaptable).
  • GH & KH: Tolerates a wide range; prefers moderately hard water.
• Setup Tips: They love stable water parameters and plenty of surfaces to graze on. Provide smooth rocks, driftwood, live plants, and botanicals (such as Indian almond leaves or cholla wood) for biofilm growth. They do best with some calcium available for strong shell growth.
• Diet: Primarily algae and biofilm eaters. Supplement with algae wafers, blanched vegetables, or shrimp pellets if algae levels are low.
• Compatibility: Excellent with shrimp (including Neocaridina and Caridina), peaceful fish, and other snails. They generally won’t bother shrimp or shrimplets.

Important Note: Nerite snails need access to the water surface occasionally. Make sure your tank has a tight lid or lowered water level if you notice them climbing, as they may try to leave if water quality drops.

At Valley Aquatics, Nerite Snails are a customer favorite because they provide outstanding algae control while adding natural movement and unique shell patterns to your setup. Perfect when combined with our shrimp colonies and botanicals for a complete, balanced ecosystem.