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: 143–357 ppm

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.

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