Nerite snail care

Water temperature

72–78°F

A nerite snail wants water at 72–78°F, pH 7–8.5, and a tank of 5 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include guppies, platies, endlers.

Best algae-eating snail. Eggs may hatch, but the larvae need brackish water, so nerites never overrun a tank.

Neritina natalensis

Best tank mates

Nerite snail next to its best tank mates. Overlap is what lets two species share a heater setting.

pH range. Tap water in most US cities sits between 7 and 8.

Adult size to scale.

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); nerite snails need 72–78°F. No temperature suits both.
Pea puffer Pea puffers hunt snails, so nerite snails will be eaten.
Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); nerite snails need 72–78°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Crayfish Crayfish hunt snails, so nerite snails will be eaten.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); nerite snails need 72–78°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Assassin snail Assassin snails hunt snails, so nerite snails will be eaten.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); nerite snails need 72–78°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Nerite snails need 72–78°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.

What temperature do nerite snails need?

72–78 °F. Keep it steady with a heater.

What size tank does a nerite snail need?

At least 5 gallons. Adults reach about 1 inches.

How many nerite snails should I keep?

Alone or in pairs. They do not need a group.

What fish can live with nerite snails?

Guppies, Platies, Endlers, Celestial pearl danios, Cherry shrimp, Swordtails, among others. See the full list of 53 good matches.