fishguy1978
Legendary Member
Found this guy in one of the containers I use for water changes. It was out of the aquarium for a week with its trap door shut. Put it in an aquarium and within seconds it was happily crawling around.
The mighty Nerite
- Thread starter fishguy1978
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They're intertidal, and have adapted to be out of water for a considerable period of time. I have quite a few of these in my Tanganyika tanks- they like the hard water (good for growing shells) and high pH. They do an awesome job of keeping algae off my Anubias.
fishguy1978
Legendary Member
Guilty as charged. Yes, they are amazing algae from getting out of hand. The downside is that unlike freshwater snails nerites are unable to right themselves if they are on their backs.
[QUOTE="The downside is that unlike freshwater snails nerites are unable to right themselves if they are on their backs.[/QUOTE]
That's the urban legend, but I'm not sure it's true for all nerites. In particular, I think the 'Black Racer' nerites can right themselves, because I've never lost one in this way (but I do have sand substrates, which may help). The 'Black Racers' aren't as pretty as some of the others, but they are hardy, grow fast, and are awesome for algae control; they're the only ones I buy at present.
That's the urban legend, but I'm not sure it's true for all nerites. In particular, I think the 'Black Racer' nerites can right themselves, because I've never lost one in this way (but I do have sand substrates, which may help). The 'Black Racers' aren't as pretty as some of the others, but they are hardy, grow fast, and are awesome for algae control; they're the only ones I buy at present.
fishguy1978
Legendary Member
Woo hoo grab the popcorn kids looks like we could get a good show going Saltwater snails lack the ability to vary their buoyancy. If you lay a nerite or other saltwater species of snail on their back the snail will fully extend their foot swinging it back and forth to right themselves. Hermit crabs watch for this incapacitated state and will move in for the kill so that they can move into a new shell. Snail eating fish in the freshwater aquarium will also take advantage of snails in this predicament.
Saltwater snails lack the ability to vary their buoyancy. If you lay a nerite or other saltwater species of snail on their back the snail will fully extend their foot swinging it back and forth to right themselves. Hermit crabs watch for this incapacitated state and will move in for the kill so that they can move into a new shell. Snail eating fish in the freshwater aquarium will also take advantage of snails in this predicament.
FishBeast
Well-Known Member
Super interesting!!Woo hoo grab the popcorn kids looks like we could get a good show going
fishguy1978
Legendary Member
Yes, they are prolific egg layers even more in high ph alkaline water. Unfortunately, it is an ancient Chinese secret to get the eggs to hatch.