{"product_id":"horned-nerite-snail","title":"Horned Nerite Snail (Clithon corona \/ diadema) – Live Freshwater Algae Eating Snail","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA top algae-eating contender!\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew aquarium animals earn their place quite as decisively as the\u003cstrong\u003e Horned Nerite Snail\u003c\/strong\u003e. Part living sculpture, part cleaning machine — this \u003cstrong\u003espiky, yellow and black patterned snail\u003c\/strong\u003e brings genuine visual character to any freshwater tank while putting in serious work scrubbing algae off glass, substrate, rocks, driftwood, and plant leaves. If you've battled green spot algae, diatoms, or hair algae, this bumble bee-looking snail is the one for the job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidely regarded as\u003cstrong\u003e one of the single best algae-eating snails\u003c\/strong\u003e in the aquarium hobby, the Horned Nerite is also one of the most \u003cstrong\u003ebeginner-friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e invertebrates available — \u003cstrong\u003ehardy\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003epeaceful\u003c\/strong\u003e, and completely\u003cstrong\u003e incapable of overpopulating your tank\u003c\/strong\u003e. In freshwater, their eggs will not hatch, which means you get all the cleaning benefits with none of the population explosion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Is a Horned Nerite Snail?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name 'horned nerite snail' refers to two closely related species in the genus Clithon — Clithon corona and Clithon diadema — naturally found in freshwater and brackish habitats across islands in the south to southwest Pacific.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorned Nerite Snails are strongly polymorphic — \u003cstrong\u003eno two snails look exactly alike\u003c\/strong\u003e. Shell coloration, spine length, patterning, and spiral markings vary between individual snails even within the same population. What they all share is the defining feature that gives them their name: a series of dark spiky horns protruding from the shell, ranging from short stubby points to longer, dramatic spines. The \u003cstrong\u003eshell\u003c\/strong\u003e itself is \u003cstrong\u003etypically golden-yellow with bold black spiral swirling\u003c\/strong\u003e — striking against both light and dark substrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are far less likely to attract fin-nipping behavior than snails with longer appendages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Aquarists Choose Horned Nerite Snails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExceptional algae eaters:\u003c\/strong\u003e actively scrub green spot algae, diatoms, hair algae, and biofilm from glass, hardscape, and plant leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWill not reproduce in freshwater:\u003c\/strong\u003e population stays completely under your control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEach snail is uniquely patterned:\u003c\/strong\u003e no two look identical, making every snail a one-of-a-kind addition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompletely peaceful:\u003c\/strong\u003e safe with fish, shrimp, and plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardy and adaptable:\u003c\/strong\u003e tolerates a wide range of water parameters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall size\u003c\/strong\u003e allows access to tight crevices other algae eaters cannot reach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActive and engaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e frequently seen scaling glass and decorations throughout the day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare at a Glance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clithon corona \/ Clithon diadema\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Horned Nerite Snail, Thorny Nerite Snail, Thorn Nerite Snail, Spiked Nerite Snail, Sunny Snail, Bumblebee Snail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5\" – 1\" \/ 1.2 – 2.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 1–2 years in captivity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70°F – 80°F (21°C – 27°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.0 - 8.4 (alkaline water recommended; acidic water erodes shells)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 - 12 dH (harder water supports shell health)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 - 12\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTDS:\u003c\/strong\u003e 150 - 300\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 gallons minimum; 1 snail per 5–10 gallons recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbivore — algae, biofilm, diatoms, decaying plant matter, algae wafers, blanched vegetables\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Completely peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginner-friendly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTank Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnsure your aquarium is fully cycled and water parameters are stable before introducing any horned nerites — this species can be sensitive, especially soon after purchase when stressed from transport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorned nerites are not demanding about tank décor as long as there are plenty of surfaces to graze on. Rocks, driftwood, hardscape, and glass all make ideal grazing surfaces. Live plants are safe; horned nerites do not consume healthy plant tissue and will only graze on algae and dead or decaying matter on leaf surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater hardness is important for long-term shell health. If your water is soft and you notice cracked or eroding shells, increase the minerals in your water and their food. Crushed coral in the substrate or filter media, along with mineral supplements providing calcium and magnesium, can buffer pH and support shell integrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEscape Warning: Horned nerites like to move up to the waterline and may crawl out of the aquarium if given the chance. Always use a tight-fitting lid and cover any snail-sized gaps.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCopper Warning: Horned Nerite Snails are highly sensitive to copper. Always check fertilizers, medications, and fish foods for copper content before use in a tank housing invertebrates.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCO₂ Warning: If injecting CO₂ for plant growth, avoid overdoing it — horned nerites do not respond well to high CO₂ levels.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHorned Nerite Snails are algae-eating machines! \u003c\/strong\u003eYou can actually see their teeth scraping away at glass surfaces, leaving a distinctive trail through the algae layer. In a tank with sufficient algae growth, supplemental feeding is rarely necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn tanks that are kept very clean, supplement their diet with algae wafers, blanched zucchini, and canned green beans. Foods rich in calcium, like kale and spinach, also support healthy shell growth. Spirulina-based wafers and bee pollen are excellent optional additions. Remove any uneaten food within 24 hours to protect water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStock no more than one snail per 4–5 gallons to ensure adequate food supply, or supplement their diet with algae wafers. In larger groups, supplemental feeding becomes more important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Horned Nerite Snails Breed in My Tank?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the home freshwater aquarium, Horned Nerite Snails will lay small white eggs on tank decorations, glass, and plants, but these eggs will not hatch in freshwater. The larvae require brackish water with elevated salinity for proper development. This makes Horned Nerites one of the only algae-eating snails in the hobby that will never overpopulate a freshwater tank. The eggs themselves are harmless but can be difficult to remove once deposited. To minimize egg placement on visible surfaces, provide plenty of driftwood, rocks, and hides as preferred laying sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatible Tank Mates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neocaridina shrimp (Red Cherry, Yellow, Blue Velvet, etc.), Caridina shrimp, Amano Shrimp, Otocinclus catfish, Corydoras, small Tetras, Rasboras, Livebearers, other peaceful nano fish, ramshorn snails, mystery snails\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loaches (especially Clown and Yo-Yo Loaches), pufferfish, large cichlids, goldfish, crayfish, and any species known to eat or harass snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo horned nerite snails eat plants? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Horned Nerites are herbivores that feed exclusively on algae, biofilm, and decaying organic matter. They will not harm healthy plant tissue, making them completely safe for planted tanks and aquascapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill horned nerite snails reproduce in my freshwater tank? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey will lay eggs that look like sesame seeds, but those eggs cannot hatch in freshwater. Successful hatching requires brackish water, so you will never experience a population explosion in a standard freshwater aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat algae do horned nerite snails eat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorned Nerites have a strong appetite for green spot algae and hair algae, as well as diatoms, brown algae, and general biofilm. They are one of the very few snails that will effectively tackle green spot algae on glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy horned nerite snail isn't moving. Is it dead?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not uncommon to see a horned nerite snail appearing inactive for a day or two — this is a natural behavior that often concerns new owners but is perfectly normal. If the snail has not moved in more than 48 hours, check for an unpleasant odor, which is the clearest indicator of death. If in doubt, gently remove and smell the opening of the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan horned nerite snails flip themselves over? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. They are fully capable of righting themselves in most situations. If you notice one stuck upside down for an extended period, simply place it upright on a surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep just one horned nerite snail? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. They are not social animals and do not require companions. A single snail will thrive in a well-maintained tank with adequate algae or supplemental feeding.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Small Fish Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42633433317472,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0647\/3744\/3936\/files\/Logo_with_Type.png?v=1762737318","url":"https:\/\/thesmallfishstore.com\/products\/horned-nerite-snail","provider":"The Small Fish Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}