Horned Nerite Snail care guide
Horned Nerite Snail (Clithon corona) — minimum tank 10 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 7-8.5.
Overview
The Horned Nerite Snail (Clithon corona, also known as Clithon donovani) is a small freshwater snail from Southeast Asia. It is distinguished from other nerites by a series of black or dark brown horn-like spiny projections protruding from the yellow-and-black banded shell.
Taxonomy
- Family: Neritidae
- Genus: Clithon
- Scientific name: Clithon corona
- Common synonyms: Horned Snail, Clithon Snail
Habitat
Native to coastal streams and estuaries of south-east Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia. As with most nerites, the species has an amphidromous life cycle: adults inhabit fresh water and larvae develop in brackish or marine water before juveniles return upstream.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 10 L (2.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 1-2 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7-8.5
- GH: 6-18 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 1-3 years
Diet
A specialised algivore that grazes biofilm, soft algae and diatoms from glass, decor and broad-leaved plants. Will not damage live plants. Supplemental sinking algae wafers, blanched zucchini or cucumber sustain the snail in mature tanks with limited surface algae.
Compatibility
Peaceful and completely safe for shrimp, fish and other invertebrates. Avoid pufferfish, large loaches and crayfish that prey on snails. The species attaches firmly to surfaces and tolerates moderate water flow.
Breeding
Eggs are deposited as small hard white capsules on all hard surfaces but do not produce viable juveniles in standard freshwater aquaria — larvae require brackish or marine water for development.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: not formally assessed. The species is collected from coastal habitats in south-east Asia for the international aquarium trade.