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Black Racer Nerite Snail
Neritina pulligera
📍 Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia)
The Black Racer Nerite Snail is a sleek, fast-moving freshwater snail prized for its striking dark coloration and efficient algae-grazing abilities. These snails are excellent cleanup crew members that consume algae, biofilm, and detritus without damaging live plants. They are hardy, peaceful, and ideal for planted tanks and community aquariums.
Care Guide
Diet
Black Racer Nerites are primarily algae eaters that graze on soft algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter throughout the day. Supplement their diet with blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach) and algae wafers if algae is scarce. They rarely require additional feeding in established, mature tanks with adequate biofilm.
Behavior
These snails are highly active grazers, constantly moving across surfaces in search of food. They are nocturnal and most active during evening and night hours. Black Racer Nerites are solitary but tolerate other snails and peaceful tank mates; they will not reproduce in freshwater, making them ideal for population control.
Breeding
Black Racer Nerites require brackish water to complete their reproductive cycle and will not breed in freshwater aquariums. Eggs may be laid on hard surfaces but will not develop without brackish conditions, making them excellent for aquarists concerned about snail overpopulation.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful fish that ignore snails and occupy mid-water zones
Peaceful invertebrates that share similar algae-grazing habits without competition
Peaceful, slow-moving fish that coexist well with bottom-dwelling snails
Plant that snails do not consume; provides shelter and biofilm growth
Hardy plant resistant to snail grazing; provides habitat and biofilm
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion
Pitting, thinning, or deterioration of shell surface; white spots or chalky appearance
Increase water hardness (calcium and magnesium) through mineral supplements or crushed coral; ensure pH is stable above 6.5; provide cuttlebone or calcium-rich foods
Parasitic Flukes
Excessive mucus production, lethargy, withdrawal into shell for extended periods, visible parasites on body
Perform 25% water changes; treat with anti-parasitic medication (fenbendazole) following product instructions; quarantine affected snails if possible
Bacterial Infection
Discoloration, soft spots on shell, foul odor, inability to retract fully into shell
Improve water quality through frequent water changes; remove decaying food and waste; maintain stable parameters; consider antibiotic treatment if severe
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy, inability to move, shell damage, death
Perform immediate large water changes; avoid all copper-based medications and treatments; use copper-free plant fertilizers; test water for copper contamination
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Herbivore/detritivore - primarily algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter
- lifespan
- 3-5 years
- max size
- 2 cm (0.75 in)
- tank size
- 5 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 6-12 dGH
- temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)