Neritina natalensis

Neritina natalensis is a popular freshwater snail having striped operculum. This is one of the rare species of neritina. It has a specific geographical distribution and diet that makes them unique. These snails are petted worldwide owing to its beauty and behavior.

Table of Contents

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Neritopsina
Family:	Neritidae
Genus:	Neritina
Scientific Name:	Neritina natalensis

Table Of Content

Table of Contents

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Neritopsina
Family:	Neritidae
Genus:	Neritina
Scientific Name:	Neritina natalensis

Table of Contents

Common Name

They are also known as Zebra Nerite snails and Tiger Nerite Snails.

Description

This freshwater nerite snail belongs to the family of Neritidae, having a striking colorful operculum.

Color: The operculum of this invertebrate has black patterns running in a zig-zag fashion on a yellowish base. Shells may also be yellow-lime in color.

Length: They have a bodily length of 2.5 cm.

Shell shape: It is shaped like liquid-drops.

Picture 1 – Neritina natalensis

Distribution

This particular species of snail is a native of Africa encompassing eastern, northwestern and southern Africa including Mozambique’s coastal lowlands, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania.

Neritina natalensis Habitat

These snails live in mountain and forest streams as they are freshwater habitats. These are its ideal habitats as they can feed on algae spread over rocks and crevices. In East Africa, they are found in the lagoons and mangrove swamps. They are able to tolerate both warm and cold water.

Behavior

Read about the behavioral characteristics of this snail.

The snails can also live outside water.
They are peaceful creatures without any violent streaks.
They tend to be active during the night.

Diet

These snails largely survive on algae but may also eat vegetable matter. Algae laden rocks and leaves are ideal for these snails as they get enough food from them. They refrain from eating plants and meaty food.

Breeding

They have a complex breeding procedure. They do not breed in freshwater instead breed in slightly brackish water.

Eggs : White colored eggs are laid on rocky areas. They are 3mm in size, resembling sesame seeds.

Initially young larvae do not crawl like the adults but they swim.

Life span

It may live for 2 to 3 years.

Picture 2 – Neritina natalensis Photo

Life cycle

They have slow growth rate.

Predators

Freshwater fishes like Cichlids and Loaches are the regular predators of this species.

Petting

Housing: Right water temperature and conditions are required for keeping them in the aquariums. Large tanks are best for their survival and if at all it is kept in a small tank, make sure it has a good filtration system.Calcium supplement can be added into the tank for making the water worth living. Feeding: Though they generally feed on algae, you can also give them food supplements rich in calcium.

Care: They should be kept in well filtered water, for more queries you may consult a professional. As they have a tendency to crawl out of the tanks, care should be taken to keep them back into the water or keep the tanks covered.

Conservation status

IUCN has insufficient data regarding this species of snail.

These snails are peaceful and harmless to its surroundings, which is why they are preferred by hobbyists. You can often see them escaping from tanks if measures not taken to check this tendency.