Green Abalone Snail (Septaria sp.)

The Green Abalone Snail (Septaria sp.) is a flat, limpet-shaped relative of the nerites. Instead of a coiled shell it wears a low, oval cap, so it sits pressed against glass, rock and wood and slowly grazes them clean. It is peaceful and safe with shrimp, but it is an intermediate pick: it needs a mature tank with plenty of biofilm and harder water than our soft tap. Browse the rest of our freshwater invertebrates.

Care Guide

• Established tank only: it lives on the algae and biofilm that grow on hard surfaces. A freshly set up or scrubbed tank cannot feed one, and starvation is the main way they are lost.
• Water: 73 to 81°F, pH 7.0 to 8.0, moderately hard (GH 6 or more). Soft water slowly eats the shell, so raise hardness with Seachem Equilibrium or Seachem Replenish.
• Diet: algae films and biofilm. If the glass stays clean, offer a sinking algae wafer or blanched zucchini so it does not go hungry.
• Never pry it off a surface. It clamps down hard, and pulling it loose can tear its foot. Slide it gently or wait for it to move.
• Acclimate slowly: drip acclimate for an hour or more, and set it right side up on a surface it can grip.
• Zero copper: copper medications and some plant fertilizers are lethal to snails.

Specifications

Compatibility

Safe with shrimp, other snails and peaceful community fish. It does well with Amano Shrimp, Neocaridina shrimp and other nerites like the Batik Nerite.

Keep it away from snail eaters: puffers, loaches, larger cichlids and crayfish will pick at it. Its larvae need brackish water, so it cannot overrun a freshwater tank.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Seachem Equilibrium or Seachem Replenish to keep hardness up for a healthy shell
• Batman Nerite and Batik Nerite snails for more algae control
• Amano Shrimp as a cleanup crew partner
• Browse all freshwater invertebrates

FAQ

Is it a real abalone?
No. It is a freshwater snail in the nerite family that happens to have a flat, abalone-like shell. The saltwater abalone is a different animal.

Will it breed and take over my tank?
No. Like other nerites, its larvae need brackish water to survive, so you will not get a population boom.

Why is it not moving?
They often stay in one spot for a long time, especially at night or right after being added. As long as it is firmly attached, it is fine.

Is it safe with my shrimp?
Yes. It only grazes algae and biofilm and leaves shrimp and their babies alone.

Why does its shell look worn?
Soft or acidic water slowly erodes snail shells. Keep the hardness up and the pH at 7 or above.