Tiger Nerite Snail
Neritina natalensis · family Neritidae
Also: Zebra Nerite Snail
Parameters
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 7–8.5
- Hardness
- 5–25 °dGH
- Tank volume
- from 20 L
- Maximum size
- up to 2.5 cm
- Group size
- min 1, ideal 2
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Lifespan
- 1–3 years
Pros and cons
- The best aquarium algae grazer — even spot algae and diatoms
- Doesn't breed in freshwater — won't overrun the tank
- Striking striped shell
- Long-lived (up to 3 years)
- Lays white eggs on glass and leaves — ugly, won't dissolve
- Can crawl out of the tank — needs a tight lid
- Sensitive to copper and low pH
- Starves if algae run out
Description
The best aquarium algae-eating snail. Striped shell (tiger, zebra, horned forms). Cannot breed in fresh water — it lays white eggs on the glass, but nothing hatches from them.
FAQ
- What do I do about the white nerite egg dots?
- Scrape them off with a blade. They don't develop in freshwater but look unsightly. That's the price for the best algae cleaner.
AuthorGoldie Editorial
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Reviewed byGoldie Science Board
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- Wikipedia: Neritina natalensis · Wikipedia · 2026-05-22