Neritina natalensis sp. Zebra – Zebra Nerite Snail

Common names: Zebra Nerite Snail

Scientific name: Neritina natalensis sp. Zebra

Average Adult Size: 1inches / 2.5cm

Place of origin: Eastern Africa

Typical tank setup: Lots of plants and wood for grazing and providing cover.

Recommended min. aquarium capacity: 5 imperial gallons / 20 litres

Compatibility: Community snail, but could be seen as food by large fish

Temp: 72 – 79 Deg F / 22 – 26 Deg C

Water chemistry: ph 7-8

Feeding:  Neritina natalensis sp. Zebra is a grazer and will graze on algae growing naturally in the aquarium. Complementary algae wavers can be added but they will also feed on left over fish food.

Sexing: These snails are impossible to sex as both sexes look identical even as adults. However, these snails are not hermaphroditic.

Breeding: Breeding Zebra Nerite Snail is relatively easy given a good supply of food and maintaining water quality. The only challenge being, like most aquatic snails the inability to sex individuals so buying a small group together should do the trick.

Additional Information: The Zebra Nerite Snail is a popular addition to many tropical freshwater aquariums because of it’s attractive gold shell with black stripes running from the front to the end of the shell. These snails are also among the best algae eaters and are often used to help control algae in the aquarium. They can also scrape algae of plant leaves but will not eat them. In the wild these snails are found in shallow freshwater systems such as mangroves in parts of eastern Africa.