Snail Name: Red Spotted Nerite/ Ruby Nerite Snail/ Tiger Nerite Snail/ Tracked Nerite Snail (Neritina natalensis sp)

Origin: Sulawesi, Indonesia

Description: This species has a mahogany red colour with varying rows of black dashes that look like tracks. It is the least likely of the Nerites to leave the aquarium as do most other Nerites. But as a precaution, a tight fitting lid should be in place. It uses gills to breathe underwater. When fully mature they average a size range of 2.5-3.2cm. These Nerite snails are unsurpassed at eating algae. Even the well known Amano shrimp pales in comparison when it comes to grazing on algae. Other than feeding on algae, their diet should be supplemented with flake food, algae wafers, pellets and spirulina. They do not feed on plants.

Water Parameters: They adjust well to different temperatures ranges. 18–28°C should be a suitable range. This is one of those unique creatures that are very sensitive to the presence of copper in the water. A higher pH of 7.0 is essential to the survival of this snail. A low pH might make the shell dissolve and thus leading to the demise of the snail.

Sexing: Unknown, but they are NOT hermaphrodites. Since they are relatively new to the hobby and are not as easily available as the Zebra Nerite, very little is know about sexing them.

Breeding: Breeding them is just as difficult and challenging as breeding the Zebra Nerite. Even though they can live in freshwater, their eggs need to hatch in brackish water in order for the young to survive. If eggs hatch in brackish water, they are difficult to rear in captivity.

Compatibility: They will do well in any tank as it is a peaceful snail.