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Neritidae spp.
The aquarium's premier algae-eating snail. It scrapes off even tough algae and, since its eggs do not hatch in freshwater, never overpopulates. Hardy and beginner-friendly.
The nerite snail (family Neritidae), known in Japan as ishimaki-gai, is a small aquarium snail prized as one of the very best algae-eaters in the hobby. It has a rounded, semi-globular shell, with patterned varieties such as the yellow-and-black zebra/tiger nerite commonly traded. It scrapes brown, green, and stubborn spot algae from glass, rocks, and driftwood without harming live plants, making it a favorite cleanup animal for planted tanks. Its great advantage is that, although it lays eggs even in freshwater, the larvae develop only in brackish water, so it never overpopulates (and, for the same reason, is hard to breed in the aquarium). Hardy across 18-28°C, it needs calcium to maintain its shell, so neutral to slightly alkaline water is ideal; strongly acidic water erodes the shell. If flipped over it may be unable to right itself and weaken, so turn it back when you see it. It can crawl above the waterline, so a lid is reassuring. It lives about 1-2 years.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Origin
Brackish and fresh waters of East Asia and the Indo-Pacific
Lifespan
1-2 years
Size
2-3cm
Temperature
18〜28℃
Humidity
—(水中飼育)
Algae (brown, green, and spot algae)
Edited & verified by: br-choku editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
Accepted name: Neritidae spp.
Authority databases: Wikipedia (Neritidae)
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
無脊椎(巻貝・アマオブネ科)。CITES 非該当・特定外来生物にも非該当。淡水では幼生が育たず野外定着しにくいが、飼育個体・卵を自然水域に放さない。
Sources: CITES Appendices (Checklist)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Scrapes tough algae off glass and rocks
Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline; strong acidity erodes the shell
Lays eggs that do not hatch in freshwater, so no overpopulation
Cannot right itself if flipped; turn it back over
May crawl out above the waterline; use a lid
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The ideal temperature for Nerite Snail is 18〜28℃. Recommended humidity is —(水中飼育). Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Nerite Snail is 1-2 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Nerite Snail typically reaches 2-3cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Nerite Snail feeds on: Algae (brown, green, and spot algae). Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Nerite Snail varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: June 25, 2026