Nerite Snail

Nerita sp.

Identification	Small, rounded shell with distinctive black-and-white or olive-striped patterning. Very compact and low-profile compared to most reef snails.
Maximum Length	0.5 inches
Origin	Caribbean, Indo-Pacific
Minimum Tank Size	10 gallons
Reef Compatibility	Excellent

Behavior

Extremely effective algae eaters relative to their tiny size. Reef safe and will not disturb corals or other invertebrates. Commonly seen grazing on glass and rockwork throughout the day. Will not reproduce in full marine salinity — no population explosions.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore. Feeds on film algae, diatoms, and green hair algae with excellent efficiency for their size.

Cautions

Sensitive to copper treatments. Will not breed in saltwater, so population is self-limiting. Acclimate slowly.