Aquariumsnail · freshwater
Nerite Snail: adult size, tank size & tankmates
The Nerite Snail (Neritina spp.) grows to about 1 in (2.5 cm TL). It needs a tank at least about 5 gallons. It doesn't need a group of its own kind, at 72–78°F.
How big it really gets
Drawn to scale against common tank lengths. Green bars meet the minimum tank length from our sources.
Will it fit your tank?
Quick facts
- Adult size
- 1 in (2.5 cm TL)
- Minimum tank
- about 5 gallons
- Temperature
- 72–78°F
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Hardness
- 6–12 dGH
- Group size
- 1 (solitary or pair)
- With other fish
- peaceful
- With its own kind
- peaceful
- Swims
- all levels
- Diet
- herbivore
- Care level
- beginner
- Lifespan
- 1 years
Watch for: jumps, so keep a lid
Nerite Snail tankmates
Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: temperature overlap, pH and hardness, predation and mouth size, fin-nipping and temperament. Tank size is left out here; check it in the builder.
Good tankmates
- Cherry BarbAdult ~2.4 in · 68–81°F
- GuppyAdult ~2.8 in · 63–82°F
- PlatyAdult ~2.4 in · 68–79°F
- Pearl GouramiAdult ~5.7 in · 75–86°F
- BettaNeeds careAdult ~3.3 in · 72–86°F
- Bronze CoryAdult ~3.5 in · 70–81°F
- Cherry ShrimpAdult ~1.6 in · 65–82°F
- Zebra DanioNeeds careAdult ~2.4 in · 64–77°F
- Tiger BarbNeeds careAdult ~2.8 in · 68–79°F
- SwordtailNeeds careAdult ~6.6 in · 61–82°F
Use caution
- Neon TetraNerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Neon Tetra (pH 4–7.5) prefer different pH.
- Cardinal TetraNerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Cardinal Tetra (pH 3.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
- Harlequin RasboraNerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Harlequin Rasbora (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH.
- Ember TetraNerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Ember Tetra (pH 5–7) prefer different pH.
- Chili RasboraNerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Chili Rasbora (pH 4–7) prefer different pH.
- Celestial Pearl DanioNerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Celestial Pearl Danio (pH 6.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
- Rummy-nose TetraNerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Rummy-nose Tetra (pH 5.5–7) prefer different pH.
- Black Neon TetraNerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Black Neon Tetra (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Avoid
- German Blue RamNeeds careNerite Snail (72–78°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Boesemani RainbowfishNerite Snail (72–78°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Blood Parrot CichlidOutgrows tanksBlood Parrot Cichlid eats snails, including Nerite Snail.
- Clown LoachOutgrows tanksClown Loach eats snails, including Nerite Snail.
- Common / Comet GoldfishOutgrows tanksCommon / Comet Goldfish eats snails, including Nerite Snail.
- Convict CichlidNeeds careConvict Cichlid eats snails, including Nerite Snail.
- DiscusNeeds careNerite Snail (72–78°F) and Discus (79–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Electric Blue AcaraNeeds careElectric Blue Acara eats snails, including Nerite Snail.
All 105 species we checked against the Nerite Snail
| Species | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bala Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Betta | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bronze Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Buenos Aires Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bumblebee Goby | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cherry Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cherry Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Chinese Algae Eater | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ghost Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Giant Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Gold Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Guppy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Kissing Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Odessa Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pearl Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pearl Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Penguin Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Platy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rainbow Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ramshorn Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Red-Tail Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rosy Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Scissortail Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Silver Tip Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Swordtail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Three-spot Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Tiger Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Zebra Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| African Dwarf Frog | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and African Dwarf Frog (pH 6.6–7.4) prefer different pH. |
| Amano Shrimp | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Amano Shrimp (pH 6–7) prefer different pH. |
| Angelfish | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Angelfish (pH 6–7.4) prefer different pH. |
| Assassin Snail | Caution | Assassin Snail eats snails (that's its job as pest control), including Nerite Snail. |
| Bamboo Shrimp | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Bamboo Shrimp (pH 7–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Black Neon Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Black Neon Tetra (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Black Skirt Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Black Skirt Tetra (pH 6–7) prefer different pH. |
| Bleeding Heart Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Bleeding Heart Tetra (pH 4–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Bolivian Ram | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Bolivian Ram (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Bristlenose Pleco | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Bristlenose Pleco (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Cardinal Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Cardinal Tetra (pH 3.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Celestial Pearl Danio | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Celestial Pearl Danio (pH 6.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Chili Rasbora | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Chili Rasbora (pH 4–7) prefer different pH. |
| Clown Killifish | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Clown Killifish (pH 4–7) prefer different pH. |
| Clown Pleco | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Clown Pleco (pH 6.8–7.6) prefer different pH. |
| Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (pH 5–6) prefer different pH. |
| Common Pleco | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Common Pleco (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Congo Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Congo Tetra (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Crystal Red Shrimp | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Crystal Red Shrimp (pH 5.8–7) prefer different pH. |
| Denison Barb | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Denison Barb (pH 6.5–7.8) prefer different pH. |
| Diamond Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Diamond Tetra (pH 5.5–7) prefer different pH. |
| Dwarf Gourami | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Dwarf Gourami (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish (pH 6.8–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Ember Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Ember Tetra (pH 5–7) prefer different pH. |
| Endler's Livebearer | Caution | Nerite Snail (6–12 dGH) and Endler's Livebearer (15–35 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Forktail Blue-eye | Caution | Nerite Snail (6–12 dGH) and Forktail Blue-eye (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Glass Catfish | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Glass Catfish (pH 4–7) prefer different pH. |
| Glowlight Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Glowlight Tetra (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Harlequin Rasbora | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Harlequin Rasbora (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Head-and-tail-light Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Head-and-tail-light Tetra (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Hillstream Loach | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Hillstream Loach (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Honey Gourami | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Honey Gourami (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Iridescent Shark | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Iridescent Shark (pH 6.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Japanese Trapdoor Snail | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Japanese Trapdoor Snail (pH 6.5–7.3) prefer different pH. |
| Julii Cory | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Julii Cory (pH 5.8–7.2) prefer different pH. |
| Kribensis | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Kribensis (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Kuhli Loach | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Kuhli Loach (pH 3.5–7) prefer different pH. |
| Lambchop Rasbora | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Lambchop Rasbora (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Lemon Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Lemon Tetra (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Malaysian Trumpet Snail | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Malaysian Trumpet Snail (pH 7–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Marbled Hatchetfish | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Marbled Hatchetfish (pH 4–7) prefer different pH. |
| Molly | Caution | Nerite Snail (6–12 dGH) and Molly (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Moonlight Gourami | Caution | Nerite Snail and Moonlight Gourami only share 77–78°F. That's a tight window.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Moonlight Gourami (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Mystery Snail | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH.; Nerite Snail (6–12 dGH) and Mystery Snail (unknown dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Neon Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Neon Tetra (pH 4–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Otocinclus | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Otocinclus (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Panda Cory | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Panda Cory (pH 6–7.4) prefer different pH. |
| Paradise Fish | Caution | Nerite Snail and Paradise Fish only share 72–72°F. That's a tight window. |
| Peppered Cory | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Peppered Cory (pH 6–7) prefer different pH. |
| Pristella Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Pristella Tetra (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Pygmy Cory | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Pygmy Cory (pH 6.4–7.4) prefer different pH. |
| Rummy-nose Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Rummy-nose Tetra (pH 5.5–7) prefer different pH. |
| Serpae Tetra | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Serpae Tetra (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Siamese Algae Eater | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Siamese Algae Eater (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Silver Hatchetfish | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Silver Hatchetfish (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Sparkling Gourami | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Sparkling Gourami (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Sterbai Cory | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Sterbai Cory (pH 6–7.6) prefer different pH. |
| Tinfoil Barb | Caution | Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Tinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) prefer different pH. |
| Variatus Platy | Caution | Nerite Snail (6–12 dGH) and Variatus Platy (14–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Caution | Nerite Snail and White Cloud Mountain Minnow only share 72–72°F. That's a tight window. |
| Blood Parrot Cichlid | Avoid | Blood Parrot Cichlid eats snails, including Nerite Snail.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Blood Parrot Cichlid (pH 6.5–7.4) prefer different pH. |
| Boesemani Rainbowfish | Avoid | Nerite Snail (72–78°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Clown Loach | Avoid | Clown Loach eats snails, including Nerite Snail.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Clown Loach (pH 5–7) prefer different pH. |
| Common / Comet Goldfish | Avoid | Common / Comet Goldfish eats snails, including Nerite Snail. |
| Convict Cichlid | Avoid | Convict Cichlid eats snails, including Nerite Snail. |
| Discus | Avoid | Nerite Snail (72–78°F) and Discus (79–86°F) need different temperatures.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Discus (pH 5–7) prefer different pH. |
| Electric Blue Acara | Avoid | Electric Blue Acara eats snails, including Nerite Snail. |
| Electric Yellow Lab | Avoid | Electric Yellow Lab eats snails, including Nerite Snail. |
| Fancy Goldfish | Avoid | Nerite Snail (72–78°F) and Fancy Goldfish (50–70°F) need different temperatures.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Fancy Goldfish (pH 6.5–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Firemouth Cichlid | Avoid | Firemouth Cichlid eats snails, including Nerite Snail. |
| German Blue Ram | Avoid | Nerite Snail (72–78°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and German Blue Ram (pH 4–7) prefer different pH. |
| Oscar | Avoid | Oscar eats snails, including Nerite Snail.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Oscar (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Pea Puffer | Avoid | Pea Puffer eats snails, including Nerite Snail. |
| Pictus Catfish | Avoid | Pictus Catfish eats snails, including Nerite Snail.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Pictus Catfish (pH 5.8–6.8) prefer different pH. |
| Upside-down Catfish | Avoid | Upside-down Catfish eats snails, including Nerite Snail.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Upside-down Catfish (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
| Weather Loach | Avoid | Weather Loach eats snails, including Nerite Snail. |
| Yoyo Loach | Avoid | Yoyo Loach eats snails, including Nerite Snail.; Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) and Yoyo Loach (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH. |
Care notes
Needs: Requires alkaline water (pH >= 7.0) to prevent shell dissolution; obligate biofilm feeder that often starves in sterile tanks; tight lid required.
Group: Housed singly or in small groups proportional to available hardscape surface algae.
Temperament: peaceful toward other fish, peaceful toward its own kind. Lives in the whole tank.
Common questions
How big does a Nerite Snail get?
About 1 inches (2.5 cm TL) as an adult, according to fishkeepingworld.com.
What size tank does a Nerite Snail need?
At least about 5 gallons. The smallest standard tank that meets that is a 5 gallon.
How many Nerite Snails should be kept together?
It can be kept on its own. Housed singly or in small groups proportional to available hardscape surface algae.
What fish can live with a Nerite Snail?
Species that passed every check include Cherry Barb, Guppy, Platy, Pearl Gourami, Betta, Bronze Cory.
Gear for a Nerite Snail setup
TankSmallest standard tank that meets its minimum: 5 gallon (16 in long).Find on Amazon →HeaterAbout 25 W for 5 gallons, holding 72–78°F.Find on Amazon →LidIt jumps. A full lid keeps it in the tank.Find on Amazon →FoodA quality flake or micro-pellet as a staple.Find on Amazon →Test kitCheck ammonia, nitrite and pH. Cycle the tank before adding fish.Find on Amazon →
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Related guides
Sources
Values come from these pages, in our own words. Status: verified. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.
- fishkeepingworld.com /nerite-snails/