One of the things Betta owners tend to worry about is about choosing a tank mate for their Betta fish. One such question is – Can Betta Fish Live With Nerite Snails?
If you are thinking about introducing a snail to your tank then a Nerite Snail is a great option. Since they eat algae and biofilm it is recommendable to keep one or two in your tank. And more importantly, Nerite snails and Bettas can be great tank mates.
Many species of Nerite Snails are on the market and they differ mostly in color patterns and shell shapes. One thing goes for all species of Nerite snails – they are great algae eaters. We have made a list of the most popular among Nerite Snails for you.
- Zebra Nerite Snail comes from Africa and they are not hermaphroditic. Golden yellow and light brown are dominating colors with uneven stripes. Average lengths are from 2.5 to 3 cm.
- Tiger Nerite Snail is amber dark with small black margins that look like tiger stripes. The maximum size is 1 inch. Each of them has a different shell pattern and is unique.
- Olive Nerite Snail has a round smooth shell from brownish to green, the largest is an inch across.
- Horned Nerite Snail also called Sunny or Bumblebee with small spikes at the front of the shell which often break. This specimen grows from 1.2 to 2 cm.
- Black Racer Nerite Snails are brownish and the largest they grow from 2.5 to 3.8 cm. The most active and the fastest among Nerite snails.
- Red Spotted Nerite Snails are reddish with black spots all over, very interesting to watch for their appearance. The adult size reaches about 2.5 to 3 cm.
In this article:
Water Conditions For Nerite Snails and Bettas
There are always certain parameters that need to be provided for certain species. A Nerite snail needs approximately five gallons of water if you keep two you need double that is ten gallons. If you want to add a Betta then it`s fifteen. Keeping them is very easy while breeding is difficult.
The temperature of the water should be between 65 and 85 degrees of Fahrenheit and for Bettas is between 76 and 82. So, the average temperature should be Bettas parameters. The pH of the water for Nerite snails is between 7 and 8 and for Bettas is 7. The level of nitrates is less than 20 ppm and Bettas tolerance is 0,00.
So having considered all water parameters Nerite Snails are highly compatible with Bettas when you take all into account.
Nerite Snails Behavior – Do they get along with Bettas?
Nerite snails are very peaceful and solitary animals that do not group. They mostly go on their own and do not bother or attack other creatures. They are not very active like all snails and they do not cause any trouble for other fish in the tank. They are very suitable for any specimen you introduce to them because they show no interest in them. Just like humans, they sleep for 13 to 15 hours every 2 to 3 days.
Can Nerite Snails Eat Betta Food?
Nerite snails primarily feed on algae found on the surfaces of your tank and they can live on them. If there aren’t enough algae in your tank then you should provide other food like algae wafers which sit at the bottom until snail comes across. You can also add green vegetables like spinach and lettuce.
How to Choose Nerite Snails?
Nerite snails like all species grow gradually so our advice to you is to choose a small one because they are younger and you will keep it longer. You also need to inspect the conditions in the pet store, if they are adequate for Nerite snails.
How Many Nerite Snails Can I Keep With My Betta?
There isn’t any special limit on how many Nerite snails you can keep together but the advice is 2 per 10 gallons of water. If there are too many in a smaller tank, they won’t have enough food to eat. So, if you have a Betta and two Nerite snails the optimal size of your tank is 15 gallons. That way each specimen will have enough space.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, Nerite snails are compatible with Bettas and can be great tank mates. Nerite snails can live in many different conditions as long as you keep basic parameters in the range. The temperature shouldn’t drop over 65 and over 85 degrees, the pH of the water between 6.5 and 8.5 and with a maximum nitrate level of 20 ppm less preferable. Considering water parameters, they are highly compatible with Bettas. Nerite snails are very easy to keep and are a great choice for beginners. They are very good mates with any specimen because of their peaceful nature and because they do not bother other fish. They are also very good for keeping the algae level in your tank down. They prefer tanks with a lot of plants so they have a lot of surfaces to feed and hide. A bare tank doesn’t suit them. If you notice that your tank is very clean, you should offer your snail some real food.
Overall they are very easy and the highest recommendation goes for Zebra Nerite snails but others from our list can be a good choice too.