Mixed Horned Nerite Snails (Neritina spp.) Import

Horned Nerite Snails are small, hardy, and excellent algae eaters, making them a great addition to freshwater aquariums. They have unique shell patterns, often with small “horn-like” spikes, and are perfect for planted and community tanks.

Quick Facts:

• Scientific Name: Neritina spp.
• Common Name: Horned Nerite Snail, Bumblebee Nerite Snail
• Origin: Southeast Asia, Africa
• Size: 1.5–2.5 cm
• Lifespan: 1–3 years
• Temperament: Peaceful, solitary
• Difficulty Level: Easy

Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: 10+ litres (Best in 20+ litre tanks)
• Temperature: 22–28°C
• pH Range: 6.5–8.0
• Water Hardness: 6–12 dGH (Essential for strong shell growth)
• Filtration: Gentle to moderate flow; good oxygenation preferred.
• Substrate & Decorations:
  • Fine sand or gravel substrate.
  • Rocks and driftwood for grazing surfaces.
  • Live plants like Java Fern, Anubias, Vallisneria provide extra surfaces for algae growth.

Behavior & Tank Mates

• Slow-moving but very active grazers.
• Non-aggressive; can be kept alone or in groups.
• Safe tank mates:
  • Peaceful fish like tetras, rasboras, gouramis, and corydoras.
  • Shrimp species (Neocaridina, Amano Shrimp, Bamboo Shrimp).
  • Other snails (Mystery Snails, Rabbit Snails, Malaysian Trumpet Snails).
• Avoid aggressive fish (bettas, loaches, cichlids) that may nip at their shells.

Diet

Horned Nerite Snails are algae eaters but benefit from supplemental feeding:

• Algae & Biofilm (natural diet, best grown on hard surfaces).
• Blanched Vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cucumber).
• Calcium Supplements (cuttlefish bone, crushed eggshells) to support shell health.
• Algae Wafers & Sinking Pellets for extra nutrition.

Breeding

• Difficult in freshwater: Nerites lay eggs, but the larvae require brackish water to hatch.
• Eggs appear as small white dots on hard surfaces, but won’t hatch in freshwater.
• No risk of overpopulation, unlike some other snail species.

Care Tips

✔ Provide a calcium-rich diet to prevent shell erosion.
✔ Regular water changes (10–20% weekly) for water quality.
✔ Ensure a tight lid on the tank; Nerites can climb out.
✔ Avoid soft water (low mineral content can cause shell damage).

Why Keep Horned Nerite Snails?

✅ Fantastic algae eaters (green spot algae, diatoms).
✅ Do not breed in freshwater (no risk of overpopulation).
✅ Hardy and beginner-friendly.
✅ Unique shell patterns add variety to tanks.

Would you like recommendations on mixing Nerites with other tank mates? 😊