Zebra Nerite Snail
Vittina natalensis
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 2–3 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 litres
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Species profile
Dusky Nerite Snail
Neritina pulligera
Common names: Dusky Nerite Snail
Recognized speciesNerite Snails
Adult size
Up to 4 cm
Typical adult length 2.5–4 cm.
Up to 4 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- Mature planted aquarium setups
- Intermediate shrimp keepers
- Peaceful nano aquariums
Think carefully if
- The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
- The tank is newly cycled
- Water conditions change frequently
A dark, heavy-shelled nerite adapted to grazing algae and biofilm from hard surfaces.
Appearance and Identification
Rounded dark brown to nearly black shell with a smooth, heavy appearance and variable subtle patterning.
Neritina pulligera is sometimes sold under Dusky Nerite, Black Military Helmet, or similar trade names. Confirm species rather than relying only on shell colour.
External sex differences are subtle or unreliable without species-specific examination.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 120–150 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 25–50 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 30 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 45 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 3
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- Moderate
- Planting preference
- Heavily planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide stable water, mineral availability for shell growth, secure décor, and enough natural grazing surface.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Peaceful freshwater snail that spends much of its time grazing or searching for food.
Usually non-territorial and may be kept singly or with compatible conspecifics when food and space are adequate.
Not normally territorial.
Suitable with peaceful tankmates that do not nip, crush, or prey on snails.
Water Parameters
Use alkaline, mineral-rich water to reduce shell erosion. Eggs may be laid in freshwater, but larvae normally require brackish or marine conditions.
Parameter caveat
Stable conditions are more important than chasing exact numbers.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Algae Grazer, Aufwuchs Grazer, Detritivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Mature biofilmPrimary natural grazing resource.
- Algae-based sinking foodSupplement when natural growth is insufficient.
- Softened vegetables or complete snail foodFeed in small amounts and remove leftovers.
Specialized algae and biofilm grazer. Provide a mature aquarium with natural growth and supplement carefully when grazing becomes scarce.
Do not place in a newly established aquarium without sufficient algae and biofilm.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Brackish Larval Stage, Larval Development
- Breeding difficulty
- Very difficult
- Breeding temperature
- 25 °C
- Breeding pH
- 7.8
- Brood or egg count
- Multiple egg capsules
- Incubation
- 28 days
- Parental care
- None
- Baby foods
- Mature biofilm and fine natural foodsProvide stable grazing surfaces suitable for juveniles or hatchlings.
Egg capsules may be deposited in freshwater, but the free-swimming larvae normally require brackish or marine conditions for development.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Guam, India, Indo-Pacific, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Taiwan
- Natural habitat
- Estuary, Freshwater Stream, River
- Aquarium contexts
- Freshwater Community, Planted Tank, Snail Tank
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Neritina
- Family
- Neritidae
- Species group
- Nerite Snails
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