Zebra nerite snail
Vittina natalensis (often sold as Neritina natalensis) · family Neritidae
The Zebra nerite snail (Vittina natalensis) is a small, peaceful freshwater snail from the coastal plain of East Africa, and it's easy to care for. It does best in hard, alkaline, clean water in a mature tank of at least 5 gallons. The most important thing to know is that acidic or low-calcium water eats away at its shell and can kill it.
Edited by Marin Hale · last reviewed October 29, 2026 · How we check facts
Great for beginnersUnheated tank OKMature tank onlyNano tank OK
What can live with a zebra nerite snail?
Verdicts against every species in our database, from our compatibility rules. How verdicts work
| Verdict | Species | Why | Tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good match | Common goldfish | No problems found: water, size, fins and temperament all check out. | 75 gal+ |
| Good match | Fancy goldfish | No problems found: water, size, fins and temperament all check out. | 20 gal+ |
| Good match | Guppy | No problems found: water, size, fins and temperament all check out. | 10 gal+ |
| Good match | Tiger barb | No problems found: water, size, fins and temperament all check out. | 30 gal+ |
| Good match | Another zebra nerite snail | No problems found: water, size, fins and temperament all check out. | 5 gal+ |
| Maybe | Angelfish | pH ranges only just overlap (7.2–7.5), so one of them will be outside its comfort zone if your water drifts. | 30 gal+ |
| Maybe | Betta fish | pH ranges only just overlap (7.2–7.5), so one of them will be outside its comfort zone if your water drifts. | 5 gal+ |
| Maybe | Cherry shrimp | Cherry shrimp prefer softer water (4–8 dGH) than nerite snails (10–18 dGH). | 5 gal+ |
| Maybe | Ember tetra | pH ranges don't overlap (5.0–7.0 vs 7.2–8.4). | 10 gal+ |
| Maybe | Neon tetra | pH ranges don't overlap (6.0–7.0 vs 7.2–8.4). | 10 gal+ |
| Maybe | Pygmy corydoras | pH ranges only just overlap (7.2–7.4), so one of them will be outside its comfort zone if your water drifts. | 10 gal+ |
Setup and care
| Heater | Usually no heater needed: nerite snails are fine from 65°F to 85°F, so most homes work. Add one if your room drops below 65°F. |
|---|---|
| Feeding | Algae wafers and Spirulina tablets, plus cucumber and blanched spinach; avoid too many protein-rich foods |
| New tanks | Add only to an established, cycled tank. Not for a brand-new setup. |
| Males vs females | No obvious external differences; male's reproductive organ may be seen unfolding next to the right eye during copulation |
| Breeding | Cannot reproduce in freshwater tanks; needs saltwater or brackish water |
Watch out for
- Intolerant of copper-based medication
- Needs a well-covered tank; climbs above waterline and can escape
- Acidic water dissolves the shell and can kill the snail
- Needs hard, alkaline water and good water quality
- Adults cannot cope with full marine salinity; no higher than SG 1.010
- Highly sensitive to copper in tap water, medications, foods and fertilizers
Care tips
- Keep the water hard and alkaline, with a pH of 7.2–8.4, GH of 10–18 dGH and KH of 12–18 dGH.
- Add it only to a mature tank, and acclimate it slowly to avoid temperature or pH shock.
- Keep copper out of the tank, since it's toxic and can hide in tap water, medications, foods and fertilizers, so avoid medications containing copper or formaldehyde.
- Use a well-fitting lid or keep the water level low, because this snail climbs above the waterline and can escape.
Questions
Do nerite snails need a heater?
Zebra nerites tolerate 65–85°F, with an ideal range of 74–79°F. If your room keeps the tank within that tolerated range, a heater isn't strictly required, but aiming for the ideal range is best.
What do nerite snails eat?
They're herbivores. Offer algae wafers and Spirulina tablets, plus cucumber and blanched spinach. Avoid too many protein-rich foods.
What fish can live with nerite snails?
Common goldfish, fancy goldfish, guppies and tiger barbs came up with no problems in our checks, and other Zebra nerites are fine too. Angelfish, bettas and pygmy corydoras only just overlap on pH, so one may be outside its comfort zone if your water drifts. Neon tetras and ember tetras prefer softer, more acidic water than this snail needs, so they're a poor match. Cherry shrimp prefer softer water (4–8 dGH) than nerites (10–18 dGH). Zebra nerites don't eat other invertebrates or plants.
How big do Zebra nerite snails get, and how long do they live?
Adults reach about 1 inch and live around 2–3 years. They're peaceful and need at least a 5-gallon tank.
Can Zebra nerite snails breed in a freshwater tank?
No. They return to brackish water to reproduce, so they can't breed in a freshwater tank. There are no obvious external differences between males and females, though the male's reproductive organ may be seen unfolding next to the right eye during copulation.
Sources
Each value is cross-checked across the references below. Where they disagreed, an editor chose a value and recorded why.
- Vittina natalensis (en.wikipedia.org)
- Zebra Snail-Neritina natalensis (www.fishkeeper.co.uk)
- Zebra Nerite Snail - Care Guide (aquaticarts.com)
- Why Nerite Snails Are the Best Algae Cleaners (aquaticmotiv.com)
- GBIF taxonomy record
- Wikidata entry
Where each value comes from (18 facts)
| Fact | What each source says |
|---|---|
| Temperature editor decision | en.wikipedia.org: “This snail prefers an aquarium temperature of 22 to 26 °C.” fishkeeper.co.uk: “Temperature 22-26°C” aquaticarts.com: “Temperature: 65 to 85°F (18 to 29°C)” aquaticmotiv.com: “Temperature: Keep between 74–80°F for steady activity and shell health.” |
| Adult size | en.wikipedia.org: “the shell of this species grows to about 2.5 cm (one inch) in diameter.” fishkeeper.co.uk: “Maximum Size 2.5cm (1")” aquaticarts.com: “typically growing to about 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter.” |
| Native to | en.wikipedia.org: “This species is endemic to the coastal plain of East Africa -- Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania.” fishkeeper.co.uk: “known from freshwater lagoons and mangrove swamps across the low-lying eastern coast of Africa.” aquaticarts.com: “native to the coastal rivers and estuaries of Eastern Africa, particularly in countries like Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and South Africa.” |
| Breeding type | en.wikipedia.org: “It returns to brackish waters to reproduce.” fishkeeper.co.uk: “the eggs, once hatched, require full marine conditions to develop through their complex larval stages.” aquaticarts.com: “Reproduction only occurs in brackish water, which prevents overpopulation in home aquariums.” |
| Breeding | en.wikipedia.org: “but can only reproduce in saltwater or brackish water conditions.” fishkeeper.co.uk: “they often deposit their small white eggs over the decor, but these will not hatch in freshwater” aquaticarts.com: “Nerite Snails lay small white eggs on hard surfaces in the tank.” aquaticmotiv.com: “No, Nerite Snails cannot breed in freshwater because their eggs require brackish conditions to hatch” |
| pH editor decision | fishkeeper.co.uk: “Moderately hard, alkaline water is best. pH: 7.2-8.2, dH 10-25 deg.” aquaticarts.com: “pH Level: 6.5 to 8.5” aquaticmotiv.com: “pH: Maintain a slightly alkaline range of 7.4–8.4 to protect their shells.” |
| Hardness (GH) editor decision | fishkeeper.co.uk: “pH: 7.2-8.2, dH 10-25 deg.” aquaticarts.com: “Water Hardness: kH 12-18; gH 12-18” aquaticmotiv.com: “Hardness (GH): 8–18 dGH [moderate to hard] ensures enough calcium for shell strength.” |
| Diet | fishkeeper.co.uk: “In the wild, Zebra Snails feed mainly on various types of algae and vegetable matter.” aquaticarts.com: “Zebra Nerite Snails are herbivores with a well-deserved reputation as the best algae eaters.” |
| Safe with plants | fishkeeper.co.uk: “Healthy vegetation will be left alone, so these snails are a good choice for planted aquaria.” aquaticarts.com: “Safe with fish, shrimp, plants, and other snails, making them ideal for community aquariums.” aquaticmotiv.com: “Yes, Nerite Snails are entirely plant-safe and help clean decaying leaves and surfaces without damaging healthy plants” |
| Mature tank only | fishkeeper.co.uk: “The aquarium should be mature and spacious, with various algae growths for the snails to enjoy browsing upon.” |
| Telling males from females | fishkeeper.co.uk: “there are no obvious external differences. During copulation, it may be possible to see the reproductive organ of the male, which unfolds next to the right eye.” |
| Feeding | fishkeeper.co.uk: “the diet must be supplemented with algae wafers and Spirulina tablets, along with vegetable matter such as cucumber and blanched spinach.” aquaticarts.com: “if your tank is low on algae, supplement their diet with: Algae Wafers” aquaticmotiv.com: “Supplement with algae wafers or blanched spinach if algae levels drop.” |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | aquaticarts.com: “Water Hardness: kH 12-18; gH 12-18” |
| Temperament | aquaticarts.com: “Nerite Snails are completely peaceful and compatible with all fish, shrimp, live plants, and other snails” aquaticmotiv.com: “They’re also calm and non-aggressive, making them perfect for community aquariums.” |
| Eats shrimp/snails editor decision | aquaticarts.com: “Safe with fish, shrimp, plants, and other snails, making them ideal for community aquariums.” |
| Water type | aquaticarts.com: “Nerite Snails will not breed in pure freshwater.” |
| Lifespan | aquaticmotiv.com: “They typically live for 2-3 years with clean, stable water, adequate calcium levels, and a consistent supply of natural algae.” |
| Smallest tank editor decision | aquaticmotiv.com: “Tank Size: Minimum of 5 gallons per snail” |
Editor decisions (6)
- Aquatic Arts gives 65–85°F as the tolerated range; Wikipedia's 22–26 °C is preferred. The tolerated range is what matters for tank mates.
- Maidenhead 7.2–8.2, Aquatic Motiv 7.4–8.4: alkaline water protects the shell. Aquatic Arts' 6.5 is survivable but erodes shells.
- Maidenhead 10–25, Aquatic Arts 12–18, Aquatic Motiv 8–18 dGH: hard water.
- Nerites graze algae and are safe with shrimp (Aquatic Arts).
- Aquatic Motiv: at least 5 gallons per snail.
- Hardy, but needs hard water (pH 7+) to protect its shell and enough algae to eat.