What tank size does a Zebra Nerite Snail need?

A Zebra Nerite Snail needs an aquarium of at least 45 litres (11.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 45 cm (17.7 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Zebra Nerite Snail need?

Zebra Nerite Snail does best at 22–28 °C (71.6–82.4 °F), pH 7–8.5 and a general hardness of 6–15 °dGH.

Is the Zebra Nerite Snail suitable for beginners?

Yes — Zebra Nerite Snail is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Species library

Zebra Nerite Snail

Neritina turrita

Neritidae

InvertsDifficulty: ●●○○○Data: well-established

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About

One of the more imposing of the racing snails sold as the zebra nerite: an Indo-Pacific neritid of 2.5-3 cm whose golden to nut-brown shell is crossed by heavy, evenly spaced black bands. It shares that trade name with Neritina natalensis, and it is the species the name tiger nerite properly belongs to, so the two are constantly confused on the shelf — go by the banded shell, not the label. It works glass, wood and rock relentlessly for algae and leaves plants alone. Its decisive advantage is that it cannot breed in a freshwater tank: adults live happily in fresh water, but the larvae need brackish or marine salinity to develop, so a population can never explode the way pond and ramshorn snails do. What it does do is leave hard white egg capsules stuck to hardscape, and climb out of an open tank.

Care

Give it hard, alkaline water (GH 6-15, KH 3-12, pH 7.2-8.2) for shell growth and a mature tank with real algae to graze - it starves in a spotless one. Highly copper-sensitive, so check every medication. Keep the tank lidded: it climbs, and it will leave.

Diet

Algae specialist clearing film, diatom and green-spot algae from hard surfaces. Supplement with algae wafers or blanched vegetables once the tank runs clean, and offer calcium for the shell.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Telling males from females

There is no reliable way to sex this species by eye. That is the honest answer, not a gap in our data.

All the methods, with diagrams

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Similar species

Same category and the closest water parameters — if this species isn't quite it, start here.

Colombian Ramshorn Snail Pagoda Snail Assassin Snail Spixi Snail Nerite Snail Horned Nerite Snail

Sold in Lithuania

These Lithuanian shops listed this species in their public catalogue (checked August 8, 2026). Stock moves — ask before you travel.

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Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Zebra Nerite Snail need?: A Zebra Nerite Snail needs an aquarium of at least 45 litres (11.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 45 cm (17.7 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Zebra Nerite Snail need?: Zebra Nerite Snail does best at 22–28 °C (71.6–82.4 °F), pH 7–8.5 and a general hardness of 6–15 °dGH.
Is the Zebra Nerite Snail suitable for beginners?: Yes — Zebra Nerite Snail is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature22–28°C

Optimal temp.24–26°C

pH7–8.5

Hardness (GH)6–15°d

Carbonate (KH)3–12°d

Adult size3 cm

Min. volume≥ 45 L

Min. tank length≥ 45 cm

Swimming zoneAll levels

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeBrackish-tolerant

FlowModerate

Lifespan~3 yrs

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