Zebra nerite snail (Neritina natalensis) care guide

Group
Snails
Other names
Vittina natalensis, Theodoxus natalensis, Spotted nerite, Tiger nerite, Red spotted nerite, Zebra snail
Family
Neritidae
Origin
Coastal plain of East Africa: Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
2.5 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
7–8.2
Hardness
6–15 dGH, 4–10 dKH
Minimum tank
20 litres
Care level
beginner
Lifespan
2–3 years

Care

The zebra nerite is one of the most popular algae-eating snails in planted and community aquariums. Its rounded shell is boldly marked with black and gold stripes that may form zigzags, dashes or spots, and it closes the shell with an operculum (a lid). In the aquarium it grows to about 2.5 cm across. It is now usually placed in the genus Vittina (Vittina natalensis); Neritina natalensis is the older name. The name 'zebra nerite' is also used for other striped nerites, including the marine Puperita pupa, so check the scientific name when buying. It lives in fresh water near the East African coast. Keep it in a mature tank with algae to graze, at about 22–26 °C. It needs neutral to hard, alkaline water to keep its shell healthy; in soft, acidic water the shell pits and erodes. Water figures given here are general hobby guidance rather than taken from our sources. Nerites climb out of the water, so a tight lid is needed. A snail lying upside down may be unable to right itself; turn it over. Clean-up role: it is an excellent grazer of film algae, diatoms and green spot algae on glass, rock, wood and hard leaves, and does not eat healthy plants. 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 check the label of any treatment or fertiliser before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neritinanatalensis). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Herbivorous grazer: film algae, diatoms, green spot algae and biofilm. When algae runs short, feed algae wafers, blanched courgette or spinach and calcium-rich foods; underfed nerites starve slowly, so watch for shrinking bodies.

Breeding

Separate sexes, which look alike. Females lay small, hard white egg capsules on rock, wood and glass, which can look untidy, but the eggs need brackish or salt water to develop and will not hatch into snails in a freshwater tank, so it never overruns a tank. The larvae are planktonic and need brackish to marine water and microalgae; captive rearing is possible but difficult and rarely tried.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful; safe with plants, shrimp, other snails and peaceful fish. Avoid snail-eaters such as puffers, larger loaches, assassin snails and large crayfish. Not a pest: it cannot breed in fresh water.

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

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