- Sku: 1570281
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Saltwater Nerite Snail (Nerita sp.)
The Saltwater Nerite Snail (Nerita sp.) is a small, tireless member of the reef cleanup crew that specializes in the film algae and diatoms other grazers skip. These little tide pool natives work glass, rock, and even the splash zone above the waterline, and they are completely reef safe. Stock up alongside the rest of our saltwater livestock.
Please note: pricing is per snail, and shell pattern varies from checkered to banded.
Care Guide
Nerites are hardy once settled, but like all marine inverts they hate sudden swings, so drip acclimate them slowly. They graze nonstop on film algae, diatoms, and cyanobacteria; in a very clean tank, supplement with a piece of dried seaweed clipped low on the rock. Do not be alarmed if one climbs above the waterline, nerites live in the intertidal zone in the wild and wander there on purpose. Plan on about one nerite per 5 to 10 gallons so everyone stays fed.
Important: never dose copper-based medications in a tank with snails or other invertebrates, and keep up with calcium and alkalinity, their shells depend on it.
Specifications
| Care Level | Beginner, drip acclimate |
| Temperament | Completely peaceful, reef safe |
| Max Size | About 1 inch |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 gallons |
| Temperature | 72 to 78°F |
| Salinity / pH | 1.023 to 1.026 SG, pH 8.0 to 8.4 |
| Diet | Film algae, diatoms, cyanobacteria, dried seaweed |
| Reproduction | Lays small white capsules that do not develop in tanks |
Compatibility
Safe with all reef fish, corals, and ornamental invertebrates. Keep them away from known snail eaters like large hermit crabs short on shells, triggerfish, and predatory wrasses.
Recommended Cleanup Crew Partners
- Astrea Snail for hair algae on the rockwork
- Mexican Turbo Snail for heavy duty film and hair algae
- Nassarius Snails to keep the sand bed turned and clean
- Browse our saltwater livestock and coral collections
FAQ
My nerite climbed out of the water, is it escaping? No, that is normal intertidal behavior. A tight-fitting lid keeps wanderers from going too far, and they usually come back down on their own.
Will they breed in my tank? They may lay tiny white egg capsules on the rock, but the larvae do not survive in aquariums, so there is no population explosion.
How many do I need? One per 5 to 10 gallons is a good starting density for a cleanup crew.
Why is my snail upside down and not moving? Nerites are clumsy at righting themselves. Gently flip it onto the glass or rock and it will carry on.
Have a question?
Saltwater Nerite Snail (Nerita sp.)
