Description

Zebra Nerite Snail – Neritina paralella

As far as molluscs go, the Zebra Nerite Snail is by far the most widely recognised species available in the hobby. Nerites are a great addition to aquariums, not only because of their striking appearance, but also because they are some of the best algae eaters around. They enjoy soft algaes, biofilm and diatoms that they will eat off the glass, rocks, wood and ornaments.

In a stable and established aquarium, aquarists find themselves offering algae wafers to supplement the snail’s diet as they deplete the algae supply in their habitat. Despite their healthy appetite for greenery, nerites don’t actually eat live plants (though they may munch on the decaying parts of the plant). It is however worth noting that if there is a very serious algae problem, snails can’t single-handedly eliminate it. Identifying the imbalance and root cause of the algae issue is a big part of tackling it, while snails should help keep on top of it after the issue is resolved.

They will occasionally leave the water and can climb out of tanks, so it is imperative that the aquarium has a lid to prevent your snail from going on big adventures. Unlike many snails, the nerite is unlikely to ever become a pest as their eggs do not hatch in fresh water. So whilst you may see small white dots in your aquarium, they will never become baby snails unless salt is present in the water.

As these are snails and require a certain amount of calcium to continue to grow a healthy shell so it is recommended that they are kept in alkaline conditions of pH 7 or higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Snails beneficial to the aquarium?

Yes, snails are a great alternative to algae eating species of fish as they only grow to a limited size and produce very little waste. Snails are peaceful scavengers that generally ignore fish and other aquarium inhabitants, making them an excellent addition to most community aquariums.

Can nerites breed in my tank?

Nerite snails are able to breed and will produce eggs in any aquarium. However, the eggs will not hatch in a freshwater environment. This is what sets them apart from what is regarded as pest snails.

Do I need to feed my snails?

Snails typically scavenge continuously around the tank. It is however worth noting that if the food supply is limited and algae becomes sparse, you should supplement their diet so they don’t starve. We recommend Hikari Algae Wafers as an excellent food source

Do snails need special water parameters?

Ideally, it’s best to keep snails in alkaline conditions as the calcium content of the water is a big factor contributing to shell growth. Their calcium levels can however  be supplemented with cuttlefish bone.

Do Nerite Snails eat plants?

Nerites are not known for eating plants. Even the hungry ones! They prefer softer foods like algae and decaying matter.

Are nerites safe with shrimp?

Yes. These little molluscs do not possess the intelligence to hunt, much less harm anything around them.

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