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Military Helmet Nerite
Neritina pulligera
📍 Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia)
The Military Helmet Nerite is a striking freshwater snail with a distinctive helmet-shaped shell featuring bold black and white striping patterns. These peaceful algae-eaters are excellent for planted tanks and are known for their efficient grazing habits without damaging live plants. They are hardy, long-lived, and make an attractive addition to community aquariums.
Care Guide
Diet
Military Helmet Nerites are primarily herbivorous and feed on algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter. They do not require supplemental feeding in established tanks with adequate algae growth, but can be offered blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach) or algae wafers occasionally. They will not consume hair algae or black beard algae.
Behavior
These snails are nocturnal and spend most of their time grazing on surfaces and plant leaves. They are slow-moving and relatively inactive during the day, preferring to hide in plants or decorations. Military Helmet Nerites are solitary and do not interact with other snails, though they can be kept in groups without aggression.
Breeding
Military Helmet Nerites are difficult to breed in freshwater aquariums as they require brackish water conditions for larval development. Eggs are laid individually on hard surfaces but do not develop into juveniles in pure freshwater, making population control not a concern for aquarists.
Tank Mates
Both are peaceful algae-eaters that occupy similar ecological niches without competition
Small, peaceful fish that ignore snails and share peaceful community tank requirements
Peaceful and slow-moving; generally ignore snails though may occasionally investigate them
Both are algae-eaters that coexist peacefully without territorial disputes
Live plant that provides grazing surface and shelter without being damaged by snail feeding
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion
Pitting, thinning, or deterioration of shell surface; white spots or chalky appearance
Increase water hardness (calcium) through mineral supplements or crushed coral; ensure pH remains above 7.0; provide cuttlebone or calcium-rich foods
Parasitic Flukes
Excessive mucus production, lethargy, shell damage, snail remains withdrawn in shell for extended periods
Perform 25% water changes; increase aeration; treat with anti-parasitic medication if severe; quarantine affected snails
Bacterial Shell Infection
Discoloration, pitting, or fuzzy growth on shell; foul odor; snail becomes inactive
Improve water quality through frequent water changes; remove decaying organic matter; maintain proper pH and hardness; consider antibiotic treatment in severe cases
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy, withdrawal into shell, inability to move, death
Perform immediate large water changes; avoid all copper-based medications and fertilizers; use copper-free plant treatments; ensure medication labels specify snail-safe formulations
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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
- 7.0-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8-15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)