Nerite Snail

[gary35111]

I heard that Zebra Nerite Snail is almost perfect an algae eater as it eat any algae and even the green blue spot algae. Correct me if I am wrong.

Gary

[Muddy Waters]

It's a great algae eater indeed. Yes, it eats spot algae, but that's low on their list of preference, the favorite being the brown algae. The one type I've never seen them eat is the black brush.

And there are more advantages: they're long-living: the ones that are for sale are about 5-7 years old and are expected to live another 5 in your aquarium; their shell will not corrode in acidic water; they're able to avoid even the most avid snail eaters like clown loaches and dwarf puffers.

The one drawback is that they're small and their algae-eating pace is not so fast. They come from pretty warm waters (30 C and more) so in a typical planted tank at 26 C their metabolism is slowed down further. So you actually need a lot of them, and probably some other algae-eating species too.

Another annoying thing is they lay small white eggs everywhere. These eggs don't hatch in aquariums and may stay there forever. Several species of fish will scrap them off for food, but usually a remnant white ring is left. Not so serious, but can ruin your chances at a contest :rolleyes:

Overall, it's a very nice addition to any tank unless you are in the pro league :cool: and can't settle for some white spots.

[amber2461]

I have 17 of them, they are worth their weight in gold, if you don't mind the white spots ... :D

[milalic]

white spots? what are they?

[brad]

milalic, read above. It`s from the eggs.

[gary35111]

Wow, so this is the snail which is a 'Must Have'. By the way, what fish will eat the "white spots" or eggs? I have boraras and Otto inside my planted tank.

Anyway, thanks for the infos and replies.

Gary

[amber2461]

Snail eggs all over the tank :D

[milalic]

I suspected that. Will they die and come off the walls?

[gary35111]

What fish will eat those eggs? I have boraras and Otto. Will they do the job?

[Jane of Upton]

I really enjoy these snails as well. But, so far, I haven't had any fish that DO scrape the "egg rings" off the walls. If you get them before they become rock-hard (within 2 weeks) an algae magnet scraper generally does the trick.

I get more annoyed that they leave the white spot eggs all over my anubias stems!

But...... they're worth it! They're really lovely, and slowly go about their business with a nice constancy. I've read that they need brackish water for the eggs to develop properly, which is why the ones they leave everywhere just kind of disintegrate, leaving the "rings".

Mine all had broken spire-tips when I got them. They don't seem to have sustained any other shell damage since then. I wonder if its typical of the family - I had gotten some Olive Nerites about a year earlier, and they all had their spire-tips missing as well.

These are really, really pretty snails though, and excellent algae eaters. Each one's shell is slightly different. According to the proprietor of the very nice LFS where I got mine, there is a man at one of the Boston-area universities who is studying the genetic vs. environmental influences on the pattern development.

I'm sorry I don't know about Singapore, but in the Boston, MA (USA) area, Fish Frenzy in Springfield does get them in regularly.

Good luck in your quest!
-Jane

[silane]

Mine all had broken spire-tips when I got them. They don't seem to have sustained any other shell damage since then. I wonder if its typical of the family - I had gotten some Olive Nerites about a year earlier, and they all had their spire-tips missing as well.


Oh yes, I noticed that, I thought that LFS sells sub-quality snail, but apparently it is not, almost everywhere is selling broken tip Nerite Snail. They do well with that tip though. :D

These snailes are great, they are great brown algae eater and do not go for shrimps food.

[kross]

What fish will eat those eggs? I have boraras and Otto. Will they do the job?

Paros and scarlet badis will do the job but watch out for the shrimplets if the "eggs" are gone.