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Red Lip Nerite Snail
Neritina waigiensis
📍 Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea)
The Red Lip Nerite Snail is a small, attractive freshwater snail native to Southeast Asia, recognizable by its olive-green shell with red or orange lip coloring around the aperture. These snails are excellent algae eaters and are popular in planted and community tanks for their peaceful nature and low bioload. They are hardy, long-lived, and do not reproduce in freshwater, making them ideal for aquarists seeking population control.
Care Guide
Diet
Red Lip Nerites are primarily algae eaters that graze on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter throughout the tank. Supplement with blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach) and algae wafers if algae growth is insufficient. They do not require frequent feeding if adequate natural food sources are present in an established tank.
Behavior
These snails are nocturnal and spend most of their time grazing on surfaces and plants. They are slow-moving and generally remain on the substrate or lower portions of the tank. Red Lip Nerites are solitary and do not interact with other snails; they are excellent escape artists and may leave the water if conditions are poor, so a secure tank cover is recommended.
Breeding
Red Lip Nerites do not breed in freshwater; they require brackish water conditions for larvae development, making them ideal for preventing population explosions. Eggs may be laid on hard surfaces but will not hatch in standard freshwater aquariums, eliminating concerns about overpopulation.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful fish that ignore snails and share similar water parameters
Peaceful, non-aggressive toward snails; compatible with nerite care requirements
Peaceful algae-eating fish that coexist well with snails without competition or aggression
Small, gentle fish that will not disturb or predate on snails
Peaceful invertebrates that share algae-eating duties without territorial conflict
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion
Pitting, thinning, or deterioration of shell surface; visible damage to shell structure
Increase water hardness (6+ dGH) with calcium supplements or crushed coral; ensure adequate mineral content in water; maintain stable pH above 7.0
Parasitic Flukes
Excessive mucus production, lethargy, reduced feeding activity, visible parasites on shell or body
Perform 25% water changes; quarantine affected snails; treat with anti-parasitic medication designed for invertebrates; avoid copper-based treatments
Starvation
Visible weight loss, reduced activity, snail remains inside shell for extended periods
Increase algae growth by adjusting lighting or reducing tank maintenance; supplement with algae wafers and blanched vegetables; ensure tank is adequately established with biofilm
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy, shell damage, reduced feeding, death in severe cases
Perform immediate large water changes; avoid all copper-based medications and fertilizers; use copper-free plant treatments; 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
- 7.0-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 6-12 dGH
- temperature
- 68–79°F (20–26°C)