🐌 Common Name
Horned Nerite Snail
🔬 Scientific Name
Clithon corona / Clithon diadema
📦 Detailed Description
The Horned Nerite Snail is a striking freshwater snail, easily recognized by its rounded shell decorated with black horn-like spikes. Highly valued for its efficiency in cleaning algae and biofilm from glass, rocks, and driftwood, this snail is peaceful, hardy, and completely safe for live plants. It is an ideal addition to community aquariums as it supports a healthy ecosystem without the risk of overpopulation in freshwater tanks.
🌿 Suitable Environment
- Freshwater aquariums only.
- Temperature: 22 – 28°C.
- pH: 7.0 – 8.2.
- Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline water with a steady calcium supply to maintain shell strength.
- Tanks should have a secure lid, as these snails may climb above the waterline.
🍽️ Diet
- Soft algae and biofilm growing on tank surfaces.
- Leftover fish food.
- Can be supplemented with algae wafers or blanched vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber when natural algae are insufficient.
🛠️ Care
- Does not reproduce in freshwater; eggs require brackish water to hatch.
- May deposit small white eggs on glass or decorations, which will not hatch in freshwater.
- Extremely sensitive to copper-based medications and fertilizers.
- Needs consistent access to algae; ensure the tank is not overly sterile.
⭐ Benefits
- Excellent natural algae cleaner.
- Helps maintain water clarity and ecosystem balance.
- Completely safe for live plants.
- Peaceful and compatible with small community fish and shrimp.
⚠️ Notes
- Will not overpopulate in freshwater tanks.
- Shell may show white spots or erosion if calcium levels are too low.
- Requires stable water conditions to thrive.
- This snail is fully aquatic and not suitable for terrariums or paludariums.
