Tiger Nerite Snail Breeding Guide

Tiger nerites (Neritina semiconica) lay egg capsules in freshwater, but their larvae require brackish or saltwater, so they cannot reproduce in a freshwater aquarium.

Overview

The tiger nerite, Neritina semiconica, is an algae-grazing snail of the family Neritidae kept for its patterned amber shell. Like other nerites it is sold for freshwater aquariums but belongs to a group whose reproduction depends on brackish or marine water.

Sexing

Nerites have separate sexes that are difficult to distinguish externally. Since the snail cannot complete its life cycle in freshwater, sexing has little practical value for the home aquarist.

Why It Won't Breed in Freshwater

Nerites follow an amphidromous life cycle: the adults live in freshwater but can only reproduce in saltwater or brackish conditions. Females lay eggs that hatch into larvae which survive only in brackish water, so in a purely freshwater tank the larvae cannot develop. This is why tiger nerites, although popular algae eaters, do not multiply or overpopulate freshwater aquariums.

Egg Capsules in the Aquarium

In freshwater the female still deposits small white egg capsules on glass, rocks and decorations. These capsules will not hatch into surviving young because the larvae require brackish or marine water to mature.