Bleeding tooth nerite (Nerita peloronta) care guide

Group
Snails
Other names
Bleeding tooth snail, Bleeding tooth nerita
Family
Neritidae
Origin
West Indies, Bermuda, western Florida and the Caribbean; rocky splash zones
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
22–27°C
pH
8–8.4
Hardness
SG 1.023–1.026
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes

Care

The bleeding tooth nerite is a large marine nerite, up to about 5 cm, with a thick, short-spired shell in yellow, reddish or cream with darker streaks or zigzags. Its name comes from the blood-red patch beside the white 'teeth' of the inner lip. The dark red trapdoor is grainy on its inner side. Habitat and behaviour: in the wild it lives in the splash zone of wave-battered rocky shores, above much of the water line. In aquariums it regularly climbs out of the water, so a tight lid is essential and some keepers give it a rock that breaks the surface. A snail that sits above the water all the time may be stressed by water quality. Set-up and water: The water figures are typical reef-tank guidance rather than from a source. A reef or fish-only tank with rock covered in film algae. Acclimatise slowly. Clean-up crew: a good grazer of film and diatom algae on rocks and glass. It can starve once algae is gone, so add a little dried seaweed if needed. Our sources have little on this species' care; the figures are general guidance, not from a source. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and read the label of any treatment, fertiliser or algae remover before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neritapeloronta). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes film algae, diatoms and soft green algae from rock and glass. Supplement with dried seaweed (nori) or algae wafers in a tank short of algae.

Breeding

Sexes are separate. Females lay small white egg capsules on rock and glass; the larvae are planktonic and are not reared in home tanks.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe and peaceful. Its thick shell protects it from many hermits, but large hermit crabs, triggers and puffers may still attack it. Does not harm corals.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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