Common name: checkered nerite

General information

The Checkered Nerite Snail, Nerita tessellata, is a marine gastropod mollusk that is highly valued in the reefkeeping hobby for its algae-eating habits. This species is known for its distinctive checkered pattern on its shell, which adds a decorative touch to the aquarium while serving a practical purpose.

Care

Checkered Nerite Snails are hardy and adaptable to various tank conditions, but they thrive best in established aquariums with plenty of live rock and algae growth for grazing. They are sensitive to high nitrate levels and copper-based medications, so maintaining good water quality is essential. They cannot reproduce in captivity as their larvae require brackish conditions to develop.

Reproduction

In the wild, Nerita tessellata lays eggs in the intertidal zone where the larvae go through a planktonic stage in brackish water before settling down and metamorphosing into juveniles. In the aquarium, they will not reproduce due to the lack of brackish water conditions.

Habitat

The Checkered Nerite Snail is commonly found in the Caribbean Sea and along the Atlantic coast of Central and South America. They inhabit intertidal zones to shallow reefs, often seen on rocks and coral rubble where algae are abundant.