Red Racer Nerite Snail

Red Racer Nerite Snail

Temperament

Peaceful and non-aggressive. Red Racer Snails explore glass, rocks, and driftwood in search of algae and biofilm without disturbing fish or shrimp. Watch their colorful shells glide through a planted aquarium as they graze one surface at a time.

Adult Size

Adults typically reach approximately 1 in (2.5 cm). Red, orange, and dark shell markings vary between individuals, giving each snail its own distinctive appearance.

Compatible Tankmates

• Small, peaceful community fish such as tetras, rasboras, corydoras, and otocinclus
• Peaceful dwarf shrimp, including Neocaridina and Amano Shrimp
• Other peaceful aquarium snails with compatible water requirements
• Avoid: puffers, snail-eating loaches, aggressive cichlids, assassin snails, and fish that nip exposed antennae or feet

Planted-Tank Role

A colorful algae grazer for established freshwater aquariums. Red Racer Snails feed on diatoms, soft algae, and biofilm on glass, leaves, and hardscape without eating healthy plants. They complement regular maintenance, but should not be expected to remove every type of algae or consume all leftover fish food.

Feeding

• Provide a mature aquarium with plentiful naturally growing algae and biofilm.
• Offer algae wafers or algae-based foods as a supplement, but confirm that your snail actually eats them. Nerites may refuse prepared foods.
• Do not rely on leftover fish food as their main diet or add multiple snails to an aquarium with little algae.
• Remove uneaten supplemental food before it fouls the water.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–80 °F (22–27 °C)
• pH: 7.0–8.5; avoid acidic conditions that can erode shells
• Hardness: moderately hard to hard, mineral-rich water supports healthy shell growth
• Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and introduce snails only to a fully cycled aquarium.
• Provide good oxygenation, acclimate gradually, and maintain stable water conditions.
• Avoid copper-based medications and other treatments unsafe for snails.

Stocking Guidance

• Start with one snail in a mature aquarium of 5 gallons or more, provided there is enough algae to support it.
• Add more only as grazing space and algae availability allow; food supply matters more than a fixed snail-per-gallon rule.
• Use a secure lid and cover gaps around equipment. Red Racer Snails can climb above the waterline and escape.
• If a snail is stranded upside down and cannot right itself, gently place it upright on a stable surface.
• Females may deposit small, hard white egg capsules on aquarium surfaces. They will not establish a growing snail population in a typical freshwater aquarium; larval development requires specialized saline conditions.

In-Store Pickup

Live Red Racer Snails are available for in-store pickup only. Select Pickup at checkout.