The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Zebra Snail Neritina Natalensis 2cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Zebra Nerite Snail has a glossy golden shell marked with bold black stripes, making it one of the smartest-looking snails in the hobby. It grazes algae relentlessly from glass, rocks and plant leaves while leaving the plants themselves completely alone. Native to East African rivers and coastal lagoons, it suits community and planted tanks with hard, alkaline water and a covered top.
- Adult Size: Around 2.5 cm (1 in)
- Lifespan: 1–2 years, up to 3
Origin
- Native to: East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa
- Habitat: Rivers, streams, lagoons and mangrove swamps with moderate flow
Feeding
- Diet: Herbivorous algae grazer
- Preferred Foods: Algae, biofilm, algae wafers, spirulina, blanched courgette, kale
- Feeding Habits: Supplement two or three times weekly in clean tanks; offer cuttlebone or calcium-rich foods for the shell
Tank Mates
- Best with: Tetras, guppies, endlers, rasboras, dwarf shrimp, other peaceful snails
- Avoid: Loaches, puffers, cichlids, crayfish, assassin snails and other snail eaters
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Completely peaceful
- Territoriality: None; grazes peacefully alongside shrimp and other snails
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Escapes uncovered tanks; shell pits in soft, acidic water; needs algae
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F)
- pH: 7.0–8.0
- Hardness: 10–20 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 litres; one snail per 20 litres
Final Notes
Add it to an established tank with algae to graze, and keep the lid on, as it roams above the waterline at night. Females stick hard white eggs to wood and glass, but larvae need brackish water, so it never overpopulates a freshwater tank. Copper medications are lethal to it, and acidic water erodes the shell. Given hard water and a mature tank, it is a low-effort, highly effective cleaner.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.