Snail Name: Zebra Nerite (Neritina natalensis)

Origin: South Africa

Description: When fully mature their average size ranges between 2cm – 2.5cm for both males and females. The shell has black and gold stripes. One of the outstanding features of the Zebra Nerites is their appetite for algae. They do clean aquariums that have an algae bloom but leave some feeding prints. This snail has slowly gained fame within the hobby and is spreading across North America. Even though these snails are known to live in saltwater, this species is one of the rare ones that habitat in freshwater.  Other than eating algae, their diet can be supplemented with flake food and sprirulina. Unlike apple snails, they do not eat plants.

Water Parameters: No special requirements are needed for these species. Temperature ranges of 22–26°C should be sufficient. A higher pH level might be essential to the development of the shell. Lower Ph levels might lead to the shell dissolving and death of the snail.

Sexing: Unknown, but they are NOT hermaphrodites. They are not easy to tell apart as their sexes are distinct.

Breeding: This shrimp can breed in freshwater but the chances of the eggs hatching are minimal to zero. In order to successfully hatch the eggs; brackish to saltwater might yield better results though there is no guarantee. Fewer people have had successes in hatching the eggs, though no solid documentation has been produced to date. It is difficult to sex these shrimp as they are not hermaphrodites; therefore a wide pool of Zebra Nerite snails is encouraged in order to breed these species. Eggs are usually laid on plants and rocks. The development of their young is very slow and steady. In terms of rapid multiplication, one need not worry about this considering how challenging it is to not only sex them but breed them as well.

Compatibility: Will do well in any tank with any fish.