Freshwater Nerite Snail

The Red Racer Nerite Snail (Vittina waigiensis) is an extraordinarily beautiful freshwater nerite species that is native to the Philippines. It is among the rarest snail species in the aquarium world, so it is very seldom available. The Red Racer Nerite Snail has a highly variable shell appearance, but its many possible patterns are all among the most attractive of any ornamental freshwater or marine snail. It's shell patterns are extremely variable so not all patterns are photographed as it would be nearly impossible to do so. It can live for upwards of 4 years, so it is relatively long-lived among its relatives. It requires brackish or marine water for its fry to survive, so it will not proliferate in a freshwater aquarium and it is not known to have been bred commercially.

Most of the nerite snails we offer have very similar care requirements and characteristics, and the Red Racer Nerite Snail is no exception.  It inhabits fresh and brackish water areas and cannot reproduce in freshwater.  This snail is a very effective algae eater and will thrive in a mature aquarium that has plenty of algae and biofilm growth.  Some nerite snails are initially finicky about eating dry foods, but most will come to accept them, especially with foods that are high in spirulina or other plant content.  Fresh vegetables are typically accepted as well.  Nerite snails are hardy in a mature, stable, well-maintained aquarium, but they are not as hardy as some other snail species in subpar setups.  It is important to remember that scavengers such as snails do not consume as much oxygen as most fish, but they still contribute to the bioload of the aquarium and they should not be overstocked long-term.   

It should also be noted that, while this snail can live in a wide variety of pH levels, it will live for much longer in alkaline water of over 7.0 pH. If it is kept in acidic water, it is more prone to experience shell erosion. Calcium supplementation (especially when using R/O water) is highly recommended for maintaining the quality of this snail’s magnificent shell.

What We Like About This Snail:

• Completely peaceful
• Shell patterns are extremely variable
• Many variable, attractive colors and patterns
• Safe with all plants
• Excellent scavenger and algae eater
• Does not reproduce in freshwater

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:

• Temperature: 71.6° - 87.8° F (22° - 28° C)
• pH: 6.5 – 8.0, although its lifespan will generally be longer in alkaline pH.
• KH: 2 - 12 dKH
• Minimum Tank Size: 3 gallons

CARE INFORMATION:

• Diet: Scavenger that feeds continually.  Requires very little feeding in a well-established aquarium containing algae, biofilm, or decaying plant matter.  In less mature aquariums, high quality dry foods with high plant content can be sparingly fed daily. Nerite snails are often more finicky with dry foods.
• Warning! Avoid any food product, medication, or plant fertilizer that contains Copper of any form. Copper is toxic to invertebrates. Many commercial fish foods, medications, and plant fertilizers contain copper or more commonly copper sulfate. Always look at the ingredient list for any product going into the aquarium to ensure they are copper free.
• Social Behavior: Peaceful
• Origin: Philippines
• Average Adult Size: 1.2 inches (3 cm)
• Average Purchase Size: .5 - 1 inches (1.3 – 2.5 cm)