🐌 General Overview of Zebra Nerite Snails

• Common Name: Zebra Nerite Snail

• Scientific Name: Neritina natalensis (most common), or similar Neritina species

• Family: Neritidae

• Origin: Africa, Southeast Asia

• Habitat: Brackish and freshwater rivers, estuaries, coastal waters

• Lifespan: 1 – 2 years (typically 1.5 years in aquariums)

✅ Physical Characteristics

• Size: 2 – 3 cm (0.8 – 1.2 inches) in shell diameter

• Shell Shape: Smooth, semi-globular with a rounded profile

• Shell Color: Cream or light yellow base with striking black zebra-like stripes (pattern varies individually)

• Operculum: Present – strong and helps prevent desiccation or predation

• Body Color: Dark gray to black

🍽️ Diet and Feeding Behavior

• Primary Diet: Herbivore – scrapes algae off surfaces (glass, rocks, driftwood, plants)

• Supplemental Feeding: Algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, spinach), commercial snail food

• Feeding Frequency: Continuously grazes during daylight hours

• Special Note: Excellent at controlling algae growth naturally without damaging live plants

🌿 Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons or larger (great for small to medium tanks)

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 22°C – 28°C (72°F – 82°F)

  • pH: 7.0 – 8.5 (preferably slightly alkaline)

  • Hardness: Moderate to high (8 – 18 dGH) – essential for shell health

• Substrate: Sand, fine gravel, or bare-bottom – safe for soft-bodied snails

• Decor: Rocks, driftwood, aquatic plants – provides surfaces for algae growth

• Water Flow: Moderate flow preferred, though they adapt well to most conditions

⚡ Behavior and Compatibility

• Activity: Diurnal – active mostly during the day

• Social Behavior: Peaceful, non-aggressive, does well in groups

• Compatibility:

  • ✅ Compatible with small community fish (tetras, guppies, rasboras)

  • ✅ Compatible with shrimp and other non-predatory invertebrates

  • ❌ Avoid aggressive fish (loaches, cichlids) – may attack or eat snails

  • ❌ Cannot live in 100% saltwater – brackish tolerance is moderate but prefers freshwater in aquariums

⚠️ Breeding Information

• Reproduction Type: Lays small, hard-shelled eggs

• Eggs: Laid in clusters on hard surfaces (rocks, glass, driftwood)

• Hatching Conditions: In brackish water (high salinity required for eggs to hatch – around 1.005–1.015 specific gravity)

• Baby Size: Very tiny; need brackish conditions to survive and grow

• Breeding in Freshwater: Practically impossible in home freshwater tanks due to brackish requirements

• Breeding Challenges: Very difficult for hobbyists; typically purchased as adults

🌡️ Health and Care Tips

• Common Problems:

  • Shell erosion in soft or acidic water

  • Starvation if algae insufficient

  • Vulnerable to copper-based medications (always harmful)

• Care Recommendations:

  • Maintain stable pH and hardness

  • Avoid copper treatments

  • Provide algae-rich surfaces or supplemental algae wafers

  • Use calcium supplements to promote healthy shell growth (e.g., cuttlebone)

✅ Benefits in the Aquarium

• Efficient natural algae cleaner (especially zebra algae)

• Attractive, striking appearance adds aesthetic value

• Peaceful with no aggression toward fish or other invertebrates

• Low maintenance and easy to care for

• Good for planted tanks (doesn’t eat plants)

❌ Cautions

• Eggs can be hard to remove if unwanted

• Cannot live in pure saltwater – eggs require brackish conditions

• Overpopulation is unlikely due to hatching constraints

• Sensitive to drastic water changes and low calcium levels

🏆 Summary

Zebra Nerite Snails are excellent for freshwater aquariums needing natural algae control, especially for new hobbyists. Their striking black and white patterned shells make them attractive additions, while their peaceful nature makes them ideal for community tanks. Proper water parameters and a calcium-rich diet ensure their shell health and longevity.