Species › Snails

Nerite snail tank mates and minimum tank size

Neritina natalensis

Nerite snails grow to 3.8 cm (1.5 in). They graze algae and leftover food. They need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F) and pH 7.0 or higher.

Minimum tank

11 L (3 US gal)

Adult size

3.8 cm (1.5 in)

Temperature

22–26 °C (72–79 °F)

pH

pH 7.0 or higher

Group

no minimum

Nerite snail minimum tank size

Nerite snails need at least 11 L (3 US gal).

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 3.8 cm (1.5 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped.

Nerite snail tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against nerite snails by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (30)

• Betta
• Black neon tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Celestial pearl danio
• Cherry barb
• Cherry shrimp
• Common pleco
• Congo tetra
• Convict cichlid
• Dwarf gourami
• Endler's livebearer
• Glowlight tetra
• Guppy
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Lemon tetra
• Molly
• Mystery snail
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pearl gourami
• Platy
• Pygmy corydoras
• Red tail shark
• Serpae tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail
• Tiger barb
• Zebra danio

With care (12)

• AngelfishThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and nerite snails. That leaves no margin.
• Black skirt tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Chili rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and nerite snails. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and ember tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Glass catfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Harlequin rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Neon tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Paradise fishThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by nerite snails and paradise fish. That leaves no margin.
• Peppered corydorasThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Rosy barbThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by nerite snails and rosy barbs. That leaves no margin.
• White cloud mountain minnowThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by nerite snails and white cloud mountain minnows. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (10)

• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); nerite snails need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Cardinal tetraNerite snails need pH 7.0 or higher; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Clown loachClown loaches eat snails, nerite snails included. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidNerite snails need pH 7.0 or higher; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); nerite snails need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Nerite snails need pH 7.0 or higher; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• GoldfishNerite snails need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Kuhli loachNerite snails need pH 7.0 or higher; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars eat snails, nerite snails included.
• Rummy-nose tetraNerite snails need pH 7.0 or higher; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches eat snails, nerite snails included.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Aquarium Co-op care guides, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank