BBA Algae Eating Snail - Nerite?

[fl4ian]

I've read that the Nerites are the best algae eating snails for plants and glass.

I'm wondering if they eat BBA off of driftwood and/or the brown diatom algae off of the substrate and ornaments also?

I'm also considering Amano shrimp for the same duties, but obviously they wouldn't be good for glass...

Suggestions? Advice?

[snoopy65]

My zebra nerites consumed all of the algae off of everything in my 30 gal tank. It has direct sunlight part of the day. Yes it included the algae you mentioned.

[fl4ian]

how many would i need? I have only light to light-moderate algae. i have a 100g planted, with a very small amount of green spot algae from sunlight, some light brown diatom, and some small patches of BBA on a piece of driftwood.

and how big do the zebra nerites get? did you get them from someone on the board here?

[snoopy65]

I got mine from MsJinxd. I have 2 in my 30 so maybe 6 or 7 tops. I now add algae wafers to make sure they get enough to eat. Mine are about 1/2"-3/4" and have had them a couple of months.

[fl4ian]

I put zucchini slices in for the BN plec, so I imagine they would enjoy those as well? Do you know if they get bigger than 3/4"? I wonder if they would find the algae - did you ever have to put them on top of the algae, lol? or do they have "noses" like bloodhounds and will find it if it exists?

[Fish-Addict]

They find the algae, dont worry. Yes they will eat vegetables especially cucumber and courgette. All nerites (I think) dont get bigger than 1".

Correct me if I'm wrong invert junkies!

[fl4ian]

i had to look up what a courgette was, lol. (it's a zucchini for the other people that don't know :))

have yours eaten all kinds of algae like BBA, brown diatom, green spot, etc.?

[msjinkzd]

Mine eat everything but clado. The zebras get to about nickel-sized, other species typically stay a bit smaller. I usually recommend about 1-2 snails per 10g of tank space if you have a good established tank.

[fl4ian]

i saw your sale thread - that is a pic of the green tiger nerite below the magenta/purples ones, correct? or is it a zebra nerite? If it is a green tiger, does it eat and grow to the same size as the zebras you mentioned?

[msjinkzd]

i would have to look at my thread, I thought I had the images labeled (above each picture). The green tigers are great algae eaters as well, but seem to stay a little smaller.

[fl4ian]

thanks for the info. if the label is above the picture then it will be a regular zebra nerite, it's on your hand and would guess that it is nickel-sized or maybe even a little bigger, which would also indicate that it wouldn't be a green tiger...

do you have a pretty consistent stock of these dudes? or is it a get-em-while-they're-hot kind of deal?

[msjinkzd]

I am about out now, I plan on keeping them in stock. Sometimes I may run out, but I plan on continuing to import them as long as people continue to want to buy them :D

The zebra was in my hand I believe, they have striping, while the green tigers are more zig zaggy and mottled in their patterning.

[Lupin]

In my experience, nerites eat BBA as well.:)

[Lupin]

They find the algae, dont worry. Yes they will eat vegetables especially cucumber and courgette. All nerites (I think) dont get bigger than 1".

Correct me if I'm wrong invert junkies!
Red font-That's going to be a challenge actually. Not all nerites will easily go crazy over prepared food preferring algae above the rest.

As for the size, it depends on the species. Not all nerites remain at one inch.


have yours eaten all kinds of algae like BBA, brown diatom, green spot, etc.?
Mine ate all of those you mentioned.