Nerite snails, why even bother?

jsbull · Dec 20, 2016

So, against my better judgment, I bought a CUC package after my tank cycle, instead of customizing it. It came with a bunch of nerite snails, among other things.

I have never seen anything more useless. In the month since I added them, they have just continued to cluster in corners, even after I break them up. Then there's the daily activity of finding the ones that left the tank and are making a run for it across the hardwood floors. I have only seen 2 actually clean anything, of the probably 30 in there.

Does anyone actually like these things?

For the record, I later ordered a couple dozen trochus and about 5 turbos and they cleaned up the tank in about 48 hours.

ksfulk · Dec 20, 2016

Mine all cluster in the corner during the day - at night, they are all over the place - you'll know they are moving around when you find their eggs all over the place. But mine are definately only active at night.

jsbull · Dec 20, 2016

ksfulk said:
Mine all cluster in the corner during the day - at night, they are all over the place - you'll know they are moving around when you find their eggs all over the place. But mine are definately only active at night.

Interesting. I'll have to check later at night. The ceriths come out when the lights start getting low, but I haven't noticed any activity out of these guys.

Coastie Reefer · Dec 20, 2016

They tend to cluster for a while after being introduced into your tank. They are most assuredly night time feeders though. They'll hide in corners where they feel safe in the day, and then venture out and eat at night. They're great CUC members. My only complaint is they like to escape the tank sometimes. I can't tell you how many times I've found them crawling on the floor next to my tank!

jsbull · Dec 20, 2016

Coastie Reefer said:
They tend to cluster for a while after being introduced into your tank. They are most assuredly night time feeders though. They'll hide in corners where they feel safe in the day, and then venture out and eat at night. They're great CUC members. My only complaint is they like to escape the tank sometimes. I can't tell you how many times I've found them crawling on the floor next to my tank!

Yes, this is frustrating. I found about 4 dead behind my tank this weekend, and my wife sends me daily photos of them about 15 feet from the tank headed toward the front door.

dragon99 · Dec 20, 2016

They aren't my first choice because of the streaks they leave on the glass when they make a break out, but they do eat a fair amount of algae.

sureal00 · Dec 20, 2016

They are pretty good at film algae .I think thats why the hog onto the glass so much.I agree they like to venture out the tank.I always find them on the back of my tank

Lowstorm · Dec 20, 2016

Mine keep going into my sump by crawling on the outside, down. Crazy guys

kashman100 · Dec 20, 2016

Mine lay alot of eggs everywhere

lou dog420 · Dec 20, 2016

Mine lay a lot of eggs, but in the 6 months that I have had them only one has crawled out of the tank that I know of. Maybe its because of the euro bracing.

Bj’s Reef · Dec 20, 2016

I agree, I think they spend more time planning there next tank escape. Than they do anything else. Fortunately I have found them on the floor before my wife has. I want buy them again.

Coastie Reefer · Dec 20, 2016

I think it happens less in larger tanks too. In my 10g it's a common occurrence. When I had my 40B up and running not so much.

wkscott · Dec 20, 2016

This is just the nerites' natural behavior. It's always a good idea to research every creature that we intend to add to our tanks.
The following link contains great info on nerites.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/9/inverts

ZachP · Dec 21, 2016

I have a recently cycled 20 gallon and at the moment I only have one cerith and one nerite. The nerite has been constantly busy eating up diatoms on my rock. Just the single nerite snail has cleaned up almost 1/4 of my tank, I was amazed.

jsbull · Dec 21, 2016

ZachP said:
I have a recently cycled 20 gallon and at the moment I only have one cerith and one nerite. The nerite has been constantly busy eating up diatoms on my rock. Just the single nerite snail has cleaned up almost 1/4 of my tank, I was amazed.

You have been fortunate, my friend.

ZachP · Dec 21, 2016

jsbull said:
You have been fortunate, my friend.

Sounds like it. Wonder if there are different breed of them or something. Anybody have a picture of there's? Wonder if mine is different because he is by far out eating my cerith

JBradford · Dec 21, 2016

Mine have never made a break out of the tank and they clean day and night. I have no complaints. Maybe you have 1 strong willed one and a lot of followers? *shrugs*

CassieCamille · Jan 17, 2022

Coastie Reefer said:
They tend to cluster for a while after being introduced into your tank. They are most assuredly night time feeders though. They'll hide in corners where they feel safe in the day, and then venture out and eat at night. They're great CUC members. My only complaint is they like to escape the tank sometimes. I can't tell you how many times I've found them crawling on the floor next to my tank!

Interesting! I am starting my first Saltwater tank, but have 8 freshwater all with lots of Nerites who are always active, never escape from my open top tanks and clean everything! I’ve never once seen any of them cluster, even when they first were introduced! I wonder if that’s because they’re in freshwater vs salt?