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Horned Nerite Snail
Clithon corona
Animalia›Mollusca›Gastropoda›Neritidae
📍 Southeast Asia
The Horned Nerite is a small, striking nerite species notable for its ornate shell decorated with irregular blunt horn-like protrusions that vary in number, length, and arrangement between individuals — no two are quite alike. Like other nerites it is an excellent algae grazer and cannot reproduce in freshwater, so populations remain controlled. The unusual shell adds unique sculptural texture to planted tanks and nano aquariums.
Care Guide
Diet
Horned Nerites are strict herbivores that primarily graze on algae films, diatoms, and green spot algae naturally present in the aquarium. Supplement with blanched vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, or cucumber 2-3 times weekly if algae growth is insufficient. They do not require commercial food but benefit from occasional algae wafers to ensure adequate nutrition.
Behavior
These snails are peaceful, slow-moving grazers that spend most of their time crawling along surfaces searching for algae. They are nocturnal and most active during evening and night hours, though they may venture out during the day in well-established tanks. Horned Nerites are solitary and do not interact with other snails or fish, making them excellent community members.
Breeding
Horned Nerites cannot reproduce in freshwater aquariums, as they require brackish water conditions to complete their reproductive cycle. This makes them ideal for controlled population management in community tanks. Breeding in captivity is extremely rare and not practical for home aquarists.
Tank Mates
Both are peaceful algae grazers with similar water parameter requirements and non-aggressive temperaments
Small, peaceful fish that occupy different tank zones and have compatible water chemistry needs
Peaceful invertebrates that share similar water parameters and algae-grazing habits without competing aggressively
Peaceful community fish with overlapping temperature ranges; monitor to ensure snails are not harassed
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy mid-water zones and have compatible tropical water requirements
Larger shrimp species that share algae-grazing behavior and peaceful temperament without predatory tendencies
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion
Pitting, roughness, or visible damage to shell surface; reduced shell integrity
Increase water hardness (6-15 dGH) with calcium supplements; ensure pH remains 7.0-8.0; perform regular water changes to maintain water quality
Parasitic Infection
Lethargy, reduced grazing activity, visible parasites on shell or body, mucus buildup
Quarantine affected snail; perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days; avoid copper-based treatments which are toxic to snails; maintain optimal water parameters
Bacterial Infection
Cloudy shell, foul odor from tank, snail remaining retracted in shell for extended periods
Perform immediate 50% water change; improve water quality and aeration; remove uneaten food promptly; consider antibacterial treatments designed for invertebrates if condition worsens
Starvation
Visible weight loss, reduced activity, failure to graze, shell becoming thin or translucent
Increase algae growth by adjusting lighting or adding fast-growing plants; supplement with blanched vegetables; ensure tank has adequate biofilm and algae coverage before adding snails
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Herbivore – algae film, diatoms, green spot algae, blanched vegetables
- breeding
- Does not reproduce in freshwater
- lifespan
- 1–2 years
- max size
- 1.5 cm (0.6 in)
- tank size
- 5 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0–8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 6–15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)