Nerite Snail

Nerita Snails are an efficient scavenger ideal for smaller ponds and freshwater community aquariums. The Nerita Snail is a popular choice for keeping uneaten food and algae in check. It is peaceful and will not unexpectedly overpopulate your aquarium or water garden since the Nerita Snail is difficult to breed (impossible in freshwater!).

The sex of the Nerita Snail can be determined if there are numerous individuals of the same age kept in the same environment and fed the same foods. In which case, females will be larger than males. In order to reproduce, the Nerita Snail requires brackish water as it has a marine larval stage. Adult snails will live about 1 year under the right conditions.

A scavenger, the Nerita Snail will consume debris, uneaten food, and algae in the pond or aquarium. If insufficient food is present, supplement with a quality flake or pellet food.

Nerite Snails, are popular options for aquarists. They provide a beneficial addition to a freshwater aquarium or pond due to their algae eating ability, especially enjoying Diatoms and Green Algae (as well as Cyanobacteria to a lesser extent). They also keep uneaten food and detritus in check. No two look exactly alike, but they display yellow oblong shaped shells with thick black whorls and protruding spines in a configuration resembling horns or a crown. Individual snails within the same population can contain a variety of spire heights, color differences, and patterns.

Nocturnal invertebrates, they are sensitive to ammonia spikes, copper, and copper compounds. Peaceful snails, they will not unexpectedly overpopulate your aquarium or water garden since they do not reproduce in freshwater. They are hardy and grow to 1” in length. A lidded aquarium is recommended to keep these little snails from escaping. Because they like to burrow, sandy substrates are the best choice for this snail.

Although they are scavengers, it is important to supplement their diet with algae wafters or blanched vegetables like carrots, sprouts, spinach, cucumber, and zucchini.

Approximate size: 1/4"