Nerite Snail

Neritina natalensis

Also known as: Zebra nerite, Tiger nerite, Horned nerite, Olive nerite

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–27°C
• pH: 7–8.5
• Hardness (GH): 143–357 ppm (8–20 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

The most popular freshwater snail in the planted-tank hobby, prized for an aggressive appetite for algae and an absolute inability to overpopulate. Available in many shell patterns: zebra-striped, tiger-spotted, olive-coloured, and the distinctive horned varieties. Active climbers; require a tight-fitting lid as they will explore above the water line and dry up if not contained. Will lay small white sesame-seed-shaped eggs throughout the tank; these are infertile in freshwater and will not hatch, though they're visually persistent and some keepers find them annoying. Nerites need hard, well-mineralised water for sound shells; soft water with a low carbonate hardness (KH) etches and cracks the shell, so keep the KH up.

Tankmates

Ideal community tank inhabitants: peaceful, useful as algae cleaners, and incapable of harming fish or shrimp of any size. Will not breed in freshwater (their larvae require brackish water), so a single nerite stays a single nerite; they cannot overrun a tank like other snails can. Like mystery snails, they require adequate calcium and hard water for healthy shell growth. Soft acidic water gradually erodes their shells.

Compatible with

• Betta
• Neon Tetra
• Bronze Corydoras
• Guppy
• Platy
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Cherry Shrimp
• Amano Shrimp
• Ember Tetra

Avoid keeping with

• Pufferfish
• Assassin Snail
• Large Cichlids
• Loaches

Common Problems

• shell erosion in soft or acidic water
• escape from uncovered tanks
• egg deposits in freshwater (infertile but visible)
• starvation in pristine algae-free tanks

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-06