Nerite / Ramshorn Algae Snail care guide
Vittina natalensis (syn. Neritina natalensis) / Planorbarius corneus · Neritidae (nerite) / Planorbidae (ramshorn)
Nerite / Ramshorn Algae Snail (Vittina natalensis (syn. Neritina natalensis) / Planorbarius corneus) is an aquarium animal. It belongs to the Neritidae (nerite) / Planorbidae (ramshorn) family. It is native to Zebra nerite: the East African coast (Somalia to South Africa); great ramshorn: Europe east to Siberia and the Middle East. Water temperature: 18°C – 26°C (nerite 22–26°C; the ramshorn is temperate and needs no heater). pH: 7.0 – 8.2 (acidic water corrodes shells). Care difficulty: Very Easy.
How do you care for Nerite / Ramshorn Algae Snail?
| Light | Any lighting |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Needs calcium for strong shell development |
| Temperature | 18°C – 26°C (nerite 22–26°C; the ramshorn is temperate and needs no heater) |
| pH | 7.0 – 8.2 (acidic water corrodes shells) |
| Placement | Glides across glass, rocks & wood eating algae |
| Growth | Great ramshorns can live up to ~6 years in captivity |
| Difficulty | Very Easy |
| Family | Neritidae (nerite) / Planorbidae (ramshorn) |
How do you trim and propagate Nerite / Ramshorn Algae Snail?
Nerites lay eggs in freshwater but the larvae need brackish or salt water, so they do not multiply in the tank. Ramshorns are hermaphrodites that lay masses of 12–60 eggs on plants and breed freely — feed sparingly and remove egg masses.
What problems affect Nerite / Ramshorn Algae Snail?
Thin, pitted or eroding shells in soft, calcium-poor water; snails die after a copper-based fish treatment (snails are among the most copper-sensitive animals tested); ramshorn population booms from overfeeding.
How do you fix Nerite / Ramshorn Algae Snail problems?
Add a calcium source (cuttlebone, crushed coral) and keep pH neutral to alkaline; never dose copper in tanks with snails; feed less and remove egg masses.
Where does Nerite / Ramshorn Algae Snail come from?
Zebra nerite: the East African coast (Somalia to South Africa); great ramshorn: Europe east to Siberia and the Middle East
What should you know before buying Nerite / Ramshorn Algae Snail?
Do not release aquarium snails into the wild. Copper medications are lethal to them. The zebra nerite is listed as Near Threatened.
Sources
- Vittina natalensis — Wikipedia
- Planorbarius corneus — Wikipedia
- Test of algae eaters — Tropica guide
- The toxicity and physiological effects of copper on the freshwater pulmonate snail Lymnaea stagnalis (Brix et al. 2011) — Comp Biochem Physiol C (via PubMed 21723419)
- Growth and shell hardness of the apple snail Pomacea flagellata reared at three calcium concentrations (2023) — PeerJ (via PubMed 36788808)
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
Which aquascapes and tanks use Nerite / Ramshorn Algae Snail?
- Aquarium algae: identify the type and fix the cause
- Nitrogen cycle in an aquarium: how to cycle a new fish tank
Last updated · Open the interactive 3D guide · All species care guides