Variable Nerite Snail
Clithon sowerbianum
The Variable Nerite Snail is not only very beautiful, but also a hard-working algae eater.
- very good algae eater
- variable patterned housing
- no reproduction in fresh water
1 in stock
Important data
Product description & details
The Variable Nerite Snail, Clithon sowerbianum, is a species of snail that is native to Indonesia in Southeast Asia, lives in estuaries of brackish water and is found in both freshwater and brackish water. The appearance alone makes this snail, which is up to 2cm long, a sought-after aquarium resident. As the name already suggests, the Variable Nerite Snail it is characterized by different colors and patterns. For example, there are red, green and yellow animals, some with very different markings (e.g. black stripes)
Care in the aquarium
As long as the basic needs of this nerite snail are taken into account, it is easy to care for. Due to its small size, it can be kept in aquariums starting at 20 liters. In its natural habitat, the water often has brackish water conditions, i.e. a slightly higher salt content. Nevertheless, the naturally very adaptable snail can easily be kept in a freshwater aquarium. As with most species of snails, medium to hard water is ideal, as the shell can be damaged if the water is too soft. Although extremely peaceful, the Variable Nerite Snail is very active. It spends the whole day eating algae and is particularly suitable for fighting algae in the nano aquarium. The Variable Nerite Snail, like all nerite snails, should not be placed in new tanks, but only in well-used tanks.
Feeding
Like all nerite snails, the Variable Nerite Snail is limnivorous, i.e. feeds on growth in the form of algae and bacterial films. Supplementary feeding is usually only necessary if the snail does not have enough biofilm in the aquarium. Spirulina and chlorella are ideal as feed.
Sexual characteristics and breeding
Clithon sowerbianum has separate sexes, but the sex differences cannot be detected from the outside. Breeding the Variable Nerite Snail is extremely difficult. The young animals require brackish water and go through various larval stages until they can be transferred back to fresh water as fully grown snails.