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Olive Nerite Snail
Neritina reclivata
Animalia›Mollusca›Gastropoda›Neritidae
📍 Caribbean & Gulf of Mexico
Small, olive-coloured nerite with a smooth shell. Excellent algae grazer that won't eat healthy plants. Does not reproduce in freshwater. A reliable and undemanding member of any planted tank clean-up crew.
Care Guide
Diet
Olive Nerite Snails are primarily algae grazers that consume algae from surfaces, plants, and decorations throughout the day. They will also accept blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach 2-3 times weekly as supplements. Feed sparingly in established tanks with adequate natural algae; in newer or heavily cleaned tanks, provide algae wafers or vegetable matter to prevent starvation.
Behavior
These snails are nocturnal and spend most of their time grazing on tank surfaces, making them excellent cleanup crew members. They are completely peaceful and non-aggressive, though they may occasionally climb out of the water if conditions are poor or the tank is overcrowded. They move slowly and deliberately, leaving visible trails as they feed.
Breeding
Olive Nerite Snails do not breed in freshwater aquariums, making them ideal for planted tanks where population control is a concern. Breeding requires brackish water conditions that are impractical for most home aquariums. This non-invasive reproduction is a major advantage over other snail species.
Tank Mates
Both are peaceful algae grazers that occupy different feeding zones and won't compete
Complementary algae eaters with similar peaceful temperament and water requirements
Non-aggressive shrimp that share the same habitat preferences and won't prey on snails
Small, peaceful fish that won't disturb snails and prefer similar water parameters
Peaceful community fish that coexist well with snails in planted setups
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion
Pitting, chalky appearance, or deterioration of shell surface
Increase calcium supplementation through cuttlebone or calcium-enriched foods; maintain stable pH 7.0-8.5 and perform regular water changes
Parasitic Infections
Lethargy, withdrawn behavior, visible parasites on shell or body
Quarantine affected snails; perform 25% water changes; avoid copper-based treatments which are toxic to snails
Bacterial Shell Disease
White spots, fuzzy growth, or discoloration on shell
Improve water quality through frequent water changes; ensure adequate aeration; remove and isolate severely affected individuals
Starvation
Inactivity, failure to graze, visible weight loss
Supplement with algae wafers or blanched vegetables if natural algae is insufficient; ensure tank has adequate algae growth
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 7.0–8.5
- diet
- algae grazer
- minTankSize
- 5 gallons
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C