Description

Nerite snails are the glass cleaner that will not become a pest. They graze diatoms, green spot algae and green dust algae off glass, rock and broad leaves, and unlike ramshorn or bladder snails they cannot reproduce in fresh water – the larvae need brackish conditions.

They will lay small white eggs on hardscape, which are harmless but can be visually annoying on driftwood. The eggs never hatch in a freshwater tank.

Keeping notes

• They need hard water and adequate calcium, or their shells pit and erode. Chennai tap water suits them well.
• Nerites climb out. Keep a lid or leave a decent air gap.
• If one falls onto its back on sand it may not right itself – turn it over when you see it.
• No copper-based medications.