Nerite Snail
The Nerite Snail hails from the inner tidal areas of the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans and boasts a small, rounded shell. Typically brown to black in coloration, these snails are excellent scavengers for reef aquariums. Due to their small size and rounded shells, they seldom knock over rocks or corals in the aquarium. Adequate hiding places and room to forage are crucial for the Nerite Snail to thrive in an aquarium setting. Live rock is a great source of algae, cyanobacteria, and diatoms for food, but these snails also consume film algae and graze on other surfaces, such as the sides of the aquarium. The Nerite Snail is intolerant of high levels of copper-based medications and nitrate levels. Given its moderate size and gentle nature, it is an excellent choice for a reef aquarium that won’t grow too large or disrupt corals or rockwork. It is worth noting that there are no discernible distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate male from female Nerite Snails.