Nerite Snail
Neritina natalensis
Photo: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Best algae snail that will not flood you with freshwater babies. They need calcium and a cycled tank with actual film to eat.
Glass-algae snail that will not flood a freshwater tank with babies.
In the tank
- Best snail for green algae on glass and hardscape.
- Eggs in freshwater do not hatch into more nerites. No population bomb.
- Water
- freshwater
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Bottom
- Adult size
- 1 in
- Minimum tank
- 5 gal
- Group
- Can be kept singly
- Temperature
- 72–78°F
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Diet
- Algae on glass and hardscape. They starve in a spotless new tank.
- Beginner
- Yes, if the tank is cycled
How to keep them
- They starve in a spotless new tank. Need actual film.
- Calcium in the water or they pit their shells.
Tankmates
Most community fish. Shrimp.
Avoid
Puffers, loaches that eat snails, and tanks with nothing growing on the glass.
Check tankmates · Shrimp compatibility · Stocking calculator
Same group
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Biofilm and leftover-food crew that also breeds.
Pick uneaten flakes and film off plants and hardscape.
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
The algae shrimp that stays aquarium-sized.
Best invertebrate for green algae on glass and plants.
Mystery Snail
Pomacea bridgesii
Hungry scavenger. Cleans leftover food; will eat plants if underfed.
Pick up uneaten food before it becomes ammonia.