Nerite Snails
Nerite snails are popular for their striking colors and patterns. They belong to the family Neritidae, which includes more than 200 species of snails. Like mystery snails, they clean algae from glass, plants, and aquarium decorations.
These snails are peaceful and safe with pet fish, shrimps, or live plants. While they majorly feed on algae, their diet can be supplemented with algae wafers or blanched vegetables such as kale, spinach, zucchini, cucumber, and carrots.
Nerite snails are typically small, ranging from 0.5 to 2 inches long. One snail can thrive in a nano tank, but providing at least 5 gallons per snail is important.
However, nerite snails won’t reproduce in pure freshwater. They can successfully be bred only in brackish water (water that has more salinity than freshwater, but not as much as seawater)
Here are the recommended water parameters:
| Water pH | 6.5 to 8.5 |
| Temperature | 72 – 78°F |
| Water hardiness | 6 – 12dKH |
| Ammonia and nitrite | 0 ppm |
To maintain the health of their shell, nerite snails need calcium in plenty. Make sure to provide them with a calcium-rich diet and supplements. Additionally, change the water regularly to avoid nitrate buildup.
Here are more guides on nerite snails:
