The zebra nerite snails (Neritina Natalensis/Vittina Natalensis) are great algae eaters. They belong to the neritdae family that can survive in freshwater and brackish water.
These species are renowned among aquarists for their voracious grazing on a wide range of algae in aquariums and detritus. Besides that, this type of nerite snail is easy to care for, friendly with its companions, and does not require particular care, making them desirable pets.
In this care sheet, we will guide you through keeping zebra nerite snails simply and straightforwardly, although it isn’t as straightforward as it seems. So, let’s dive in!
Origin And Natural Habitat Of Zebra Nerite Snails
Neritina natalensis algae eaters are originally native to Africa, specifically Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya, South Africa, and Mozambique. In their habitat, they can usually be found in forests or mountain streams where freshwater algae flourish well on stones and crevices.
Some populations that inhabit parts of Eastern Africa live in brackish water areas, lagoons, and mangrove swamps. Meanwhile, marine nerite snail varieties are commonly found along the Pacific or Caribbean coast.
The species name Natalensis refers to a province named’ Natal’ in South Africa, ‘Natal,’ in which specimens of this species were discovered. Nowadays, this province is called KwaZulu-Natal. Zebra nerite snails are known can tolerate cold and warm water.
Appearance Of Zebra Nerite Snails
They are unique, striking, and interesting to see. Their shell shapes are pointing toward the center of the coil, resembling a liquid drop.
These tiny aquarium snails have two primary colors, consisting of a series of gold and dark or yellow/yellow-lime and black stripes that run from a point at their shell tail.
Some have many thicker stripes, while others may be thinner, resembling pinstripes, or even irregular. It is possible for some species of zebra nerite to contain several rows of spots along the shells instead of full lines.
How big does a zebra nerite snail get? The adult ones can reach 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. However, aquarium stores usually sell them much smaller than that, measuring 0.3–0.5 inches. In some cases, they can grow larger by approximately 1.5 inches under specific conditions.
Availability
Sadly, in their wild habitat, their population has decreased significantly and has been listed as near threatened by the IUCN RED LIST since 2009 due to overcatching for commercial use; their habitat is broken due to human activities such as the development of houses & recreation areas, agricultural, and industrial activities.
Nowadays, zebra nerite snails are readily available in trade at lower prices because many breeders produce these creatures for the aquarium industry. Each zebra nerite snail typically costs around $4, but you may receive an additional discount if you purchase them in a group bundle.
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How Long Do Zebra Nerite Snails Live?
On average, most nerite zebra that live in aquarium ecosystems have an expanding lifespan of about 2-3 years. However, according to experiences from some aquarists, these mollusks can live up to 5 years under healthy, planted tank environments.
Neritina Natalensis Sp. Zebra Behaviour And Temperaments
These aquatic invertebrates are very peaceful toward their tankmates without any violent streaks or bothering each other. Due to their small size, slow movement, and gentle nature, nerite zebra occasionally become prey for aggressive and larger fish, such as bigger gourami species, and even predatory snails like assassin snails.
They tend to spend the whole time munching algae throughout the tank. When food stocks begin to be scarce, they may climb the glass to escape the tank, hoping to find new places with rich resources. Well, applying a tight-fitting aquarium lid is necessary to prevent them from escaping. Besides that, ensure the water level in your fish tank is not too high. It can reduce the possibility of them going outside the aquarium.
Zebra snails tend to be more active during the night than in the daylight period (nocturnal). Keep an eye out for your snails over time; if they fall to the ground while climbing or escaping from the tank, these creatures find it difficult to flip their bodies back. If they leave them upside down for a long time, they will suffer; the worst result is that they may die in that way.
A simple aquascape setup design is preferable for these snails rather than a complex one, since they could easily get stuck and lost.
Even though you keep a few zebra nerite snails in the same tank, they commonly do not make a group where they move from one corner to another together; instead, they are individualistic. These aquascape snails do not seem to care about their fellow species members and prefer to be left alone. So, you do not assume that keeping them alone inside the tank would make nerite zebras feel so lonely.
Do aquarium zebra nerite snails sleep? Yes, of course. However, they have different sleep periods and behaviors compared to other aquarium creatures. Most aquascaping fish sleep at night and are active during daylight, but snails do not. The sleeping cycle of snails lasts for 2 to 3 days, and for about 13 hours or more, they sleep in 7 small bouts. After that, nerite snails can stay awake and active for 30+ hours until they need to repeat this sleep cycle.
If they get disrupted during the sleep process due to certain reasons, zebra snails seem to be able to continue as usual until their next set of seven bouts. It probably does not have a significant effect on their health.
Snails can sleep for a long time, typically for about three years, through a process known as hibernation. However, it usually happens in land snails but not in aquatic species.
Are Zebra Nerite Snails Asexual?
Unlike most aquatic snail species, Neritina natalensis is not hermaphroditic or asexual. Nerite zebra have distinct sexes between each other. Unfortunately, it is too hard to differentiate their gender with the naked eye because there are no external signs to see.
If you want to try breeding zebra snails, you should make a group consisting of at least 5-6 individuals to enhance the possibility of acquiring both sexes.
Honestly, we found a hypothesis on the internet that said if the gender of nerite snails can be defined under a few particular conditions, including numerous individuals of the same age, grazing in the same environment, and consuming the same food. As a result, female zebra nerite snails can usually be identified by their slightly larger bodies than the males. Furthermore, males are commonly marked with small folds around their right eyes, while females are not.
We cannot say whether this hypothesis is correct or not because there are still no studies that have written about sexuality in nerite snails, especially the nerite zebra species.
Zebra Nerite Snails Algae Eaters Tank Setup
Neritina natalensis is a hardy and easy-to-care-for species, suitable for every tank owner, regardless of their experience level. So, don’t worry about deciding on the setup if it’s your first time keeping these aquatic snails.
In order to set up a new aquarium for nerite, zebra snails begin by selecting substrate types. The fine-grained sand type is the best substrate for them. It is safe for the soft parts of their body, such as tentacles, because the rocky gravel may cause some wounds. They can also accept a muddy substrate.
How many zebra nerite snails per gallon? It is a very common question; you should provide at least 5 gallons for a single Neritina natalensis. Therefore, if you have a 10-gallon aquarium, you can add up to two snails. Of course, if it can handle 20 gallons of water, it can accommodate 4 pieces.
In the wild, they can survive in freshwater and brackish water, so choose the type of tank ecosystem you want.
Generally, zebra nerite snails tolerate water temperatures ranging from 22 to 25 °C (72 to 77°F), a pH range of 7 to 8.4, and a salinity level between 1.020 and 1.028 ppt.
They prefer low lighting levels. It is because Neritina Natalensis are more active at night. Nonetheless, they also tolerate an aquarium setup with a medium to high lighting system. Indeed, you should provide sufficient shaded areas for them to hide and chill by placing some rocks, driftwood, and aquatic plants.
Planting some live aquatic plants is good for adding to their tank setup. It offers many benefits for zebra snails that impact their health level. Plants change carbon dioxide in the water into oxygen, which they need to live.
Its role is as a field for several hair aquarium types, such as oedogonium, cladophora, rhizoclonium, spirogyra, stagrhorn, and black beard to grom.
Some of them are their favorite food. In addition, selecting plants that complement the fish tank design will provide a very interactive view and many shady spots.
Strong water flow can be a risk factor for zebra nerite snails, as it can cause them to fall upside down when climbing a higher object, such as the tip of a leaf or a glass wall. Installing sponge filters and gentle hang-on or internal filter types could be a proper solution.
As they can adapt to various water parameters, frankly, installing a heater or chiller is unnecessary. You may add artificial decorations, such as plastic plants, caves, and other ornaments, to their tank.
How To Care For Neritina Natalensis Algae Eaters
Zebra nerite snails do not require special requirements during keeping them in the fish tank as long as their dwelling place stays clean all the time.
Regular water changes of about 30% every week are essential. It can help maintain stable water quality and reduce the contents of ammonia and nitrate. Highly recommended to use reverse osmosis water; it is pure water free from harmful substances like manganese, which are typically found in tap water. You can use an RO water converter for aquarium use to deionize tap water at your home as much as you want. This tool is typically available on online marketplaces.
Never overfeed and underfeed your zebra nerite snails. The leftover food will accumulate on the substrate, which may lead to serious problems, including the presence of algae, fungus, illness, and other harmful pests such as planaria, detritus worms, and hydras.
The pH level is a critical point in keeping freshwater aquarium snails. Neritina natalensis would grow optimally in a tank with pH levels between 7 to 8, and they prefer hard water. While the softer water has high acid levels, which are harmful to them, it can dissolve nerite zebra shells, which are made of calcium carbonate.
A larger tank is better for their survival than a smaller one. Add a few doses of calcium supplement regularly to help their shells stay hard. These snails are excellent escapers, so keep the water surface at least 3 inches lower than the top side of your aquarium. Putting a tank lid gives your little snails more anticipation of getting outside.
What Do Zebra Nerite Snails Eat?
Neritina natalensis is a fantastic aquarium algae eater; it is both a herbivore and a detritivore. Green algae types are their favorable snacks, and gentle algae, green dust, hair types, green spots, brown ones, and even stricter algae like black brush algae can still be consumed if there is no food stock left.
When the algae population inside the fish tank ran out, zebra nerite snails were supplemented with other commercial foods, such as algae wafers. They also accept blanched lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, and carrots.
Do zebra nerite snails eat aquarium plants? Luckily, unlike other aquatic snails, Neritina natalensis is a kind of algae eater that does not seem to chew the plants’ leaves, although it does when it feels hungry.
Breeding Zebra Nerite Snails In The Aquarium
Due to Neritina natalensis is not asexual, you require at least a pair of adult snails in the reproducing chapter. As mentioned above, it’s difficult to notice their sexuality directly; you should keep them in a small group of at least five to six individuals in the breeding tank.
Based on much-trusted information on the internet, breeding zebra nerite snails can be tricky because they need a specific condition. Most nerite snail varieties need saltwater ecosystems to generate their babies, but zebra snails only reproduce in brackish water.
Prepare a separate breeding tank to prevent their inhabitants from feeling disturbed during the breeding process and prevent young snails from being predated by fish. Use crushed coral for the substrate; it makes your tank rich in calcium. This content offers many benefits, especially in helping young snails develop their shells.
Add brackish water to the tank. It is slightly salty water; to create this, you should purchase aquarium salt and mix it with aquarium water. Use a hydrometer, which is helpful in measuring the specific gravity, closely related to the salinity level of water.
There is a specific density level to stimulate zebra nerite snails to breed, which commonly ranges from 1.005 to 1.010. So, pour the salts into the breeding tank little by little, and after each addition, test the water until it reaches the desired level.
Apply the aquarium thermometer to test the water temperature. Actually, this factor is not crucial in this chapter; they can mate at various temperature levels. However, if your aquascape tank is a little bit warm, about 79 degrees Fahrenheit (26-27 degrees Celsius). It can encourage the zebra nerite snails to spawn.
Remember to feed them regularly and adequately. If your tank has been running for some time, algae usually thrive in there. So, you may add a few additional snacks for them if necessary. But, if you breed these snails in a newer tank, sinking a food is important for their energy.
After that, wait for them to spawn. Zebra nerite snails will start to breed and release their eggs when they feel comfortable with the tank environment.
During the mating process, the male nerite zebra snail positions its body over the right side of the pair. Then, insert his genitalia below the female mantle edge. Next, she would use her foot to store the egg capsules on the surface of an object, such as a wall glass, or driftwood, and secure them there.
Their egg capsules are initially yellowish when released, and as time passes, they darken. Zebra nerite snails’ egg capsules are so tiny and shaped like an oval. Its size is approximately 1-1.5 millimeters in length and about 1 millimeter in width, surrounded by a thinner membrane that shields the eggs. Each capsule can accommodate approximately 32-106 eggs; however, it typically contains around 68 eggs on average.
Once the eggs hatch, they develop into planktonic larvae, known as veligers. Salinity levels play a crucial role in this process. According to a study, the capsules released veligers after 21 days in a salinity of 5 ppt. At a salinity of 10 ppt, the capsules released veliger faster, about 24 or 48 hours. Unfortunately, at a salinity of 15 ppt, this process is slower than at 5 ppt, consuming approximately 25 days. Although the veligers are well-formed, the eggs do not hatch at all.
In order to feed zebra nerite snail larvae, you may need this simple trick. The veligers are interested in a light source similar to Amano shrimp larvae. Therefore, you can use a flashlight attached to a corner of the tank. When they gather at the right place, you can feed the majority of nerite zebra larvae at once.
What kind of food do nerite zebra snails eat? There are a few food types that are often found in wild habitats, and you can replicate them in an aquarium environment.
- Algae–like mature snails, the larvae also feed on algae. Of course, its size fits them.
- Phytoplankton – It is their other favorite type of wild food.
- Spirulina powder – you should mix this powder with water like infusoria.
- Golden pearls size 5-50 microns – these are commercial particles of food that are available in stores. It is used for fish fry, and larvae, snails, and veligers also accept this food.
Feed them regularly, about 2-3 times daily; a small portion at each time is better rather than a big portion at one time.
How often do zebra nerite snails lay their egg capsules in the aquarium? This question still does not have a certain answer. In several cases, a few aquarists made a statement based on their experience. Their snails released egg capsules frequently and hatched, even in the freshwater tanks, making them flooded with young nerite zebras. While some said that their snails won’t spawn even when kept in a breeding tank that is set up to mimic their habitat for mating.
The Best Tankmates For Zebra Nerite Snails
These peaceful aquarium creatures require tankmates with similar characteristics. You should be selective in choosing their friends; their small size and slow running made zebra nerite snails the easiest target to prey. Larger and more aggressive fish, such as botia macracantha, Amazon puffer, pea puffer, cichlids, paradise gourami, and loaches, can be dangerous as tankmates. Carnivore snails like clea helena are also banned from their tank.
Keeping other algae-eating tankmates, such as amano shrimps, Siamese algae, or other snails, makes the competition for food more intense. Below is a list of species that are advised for Neritina natalensis tankmates;
- Tetra species
- Betta fish
- Barbs
- Guppy
- Molly
- Swordtail
- Platy
- Smaller anglefish
- Rainbow fish
Not only are predatory fish vulnerable to them, but some smaller creatures, such as common freshwater aquarium parasites like planaria and hydra, are also harmful. It can kill both young and mature zebra nerite snails.
Zebra Nerite Snails Common Problems And Diseases
Under certain conditions and situations, they may be prone to specific health problems. If your snails eat too many vegetables, their shells will be discolored. This is a sign of stopping to feed them additional diet and leaving them to consume algae in the fish tank.
If your zebra snail’s shell is cracked or damaged, it indicates that their shell is beginning to weaken. Adding calcium supplements can strengthen it.
The elder zebra nerite snails are prone to edema; this condition can hinder their ability to move. Sad to say, we still can not find any treatment to remedy this issue. So, ensure that your snails have the best quality of life.
Copper is poisonous for most aquarium snails. Well, never drop this substance into their aquarium at once. They also do not live well in lower oxygen-level tank environments. Ensure that the oxygen content is balanced.
Conclusion
Zebra nerite snails are an excellent cleanup crew for your planted tank. They are hardy and easy to care for, making them adaptable to most aquarium setups. Their population can be controlled so that it cannot become overpopulated if you wish. Do not be worried if you put some high-value aquarium plants; they tend not to be eaten. Instead, they protect your plants from most algae invasions.
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