Batik Nerite Snails

The Snail
Batik nerites (Neritina variegata) come from India and are not easy to find. Each shell is yellow to light orange with black zig-zag lines, so no two look alike. They chew through algae day and night and will even dig into gravel to find food. You get 3 snails.

Care
Temp: 72–82°F · pH: 6.8–8.4 · GH: 6–8 · Tank: 10 gallons or more

Why Shrimp Keepers Like It
They graze the same glass, rock and leaves as shrimp without bothering them, and they leave healthy plants alone. Their eggs need brackish water to hatch, so the population stays put. Expect small white eggs on hardscape. Feed algae wafers or blanched zucchini if algae runs low, and never dose copper.

Tank Mates
Good with: shrimp of any size, other snails and peaceful nano or community fish. Avoid: loaches, puffers, crayfish, crabs and large cichlids, which eat snails. Assassin snails sometimes go after small nerites.

Photos © AquaticMotiv, used with credit.

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