Gold Racer Nerite Snail (Vittina waigiensis)
- In stock, ready to ship
- Backordered, shipping soon
⚠️ Important Legal Note: All aquatic invertebrates are prohibited to possess in any form or sell in the state of Maine. Please check your local regulations before purchasing. We are unable to ship livestock from this listing to Maine. If you reside in Maine and try to checkout with this in your cart you will be unable to checkout and receive an error message until it is removed from the cart.
The Gold Racer Nerite Snail (Vittina waigiensis) is an extraordinarily beautiful freshwater nerite species that is native to the Philippines. It is among the rarest snail species in the aquarium world, so it is very seldom available. The Gold Racer Nerite Snail has a highly variable shell appearance, but its many possible patterns are all among the most attractive of any ornamental freshwater or marine snail. It can live for upwards of 4 years, so it is relatively long-lived among its relatives. It requires brackish or marine water for its fry to survive, so it will not proliferate in a freshwater aquarium and it is not known to have been bred commercially.
Most of the nerite snails we offer have very similar care requirements and characteristics, and the Gold Racer Nerite Snail is no exception. It inhabits fresh and brackish water areas and cannot reproduce in freshwater. This snail is a very effective algae eater and will thrive in a mature aquarium that has plenty of algae and biofilm growth. Some nerite snails are initially finicky about eating dry foods, but most will come to accept them, especially with foods that are high in spirulina or other plant content. Fresh vegetables are typically accepted as well. Nerite snails are hardy in a mature, stable, well-maintained aquarium, but they are not as hardy as some other snail species in subpar setups. It is important to remember that scavengers such as snails do not consume as much oxygen as most fish, but they still contribute to the bioload of the aquarium and they should not be overstocked long-term.
It should also be noted that, while this snail can live in a wide variety of pH levels, it will live for much longer in alkaline water of over 7.0 pH. If it is kept in acidic water, it is more prone to experience shell erosion. Calcium supplementation (especially when using R/O water) is highly recommended for maintaining the quality of this snail’s magnificent shell.
What We Like About This Snail:
- Completely peaceful
- Many variable, attractive colors and patterns
- Safe with all plants
- Excellent scavenger and algae eater
- Does not reproduce in freshwater
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Temperature: 71.6° - 87.8° F (22° - 28° C)
- pH: 6.5 – 8.0, although its lifespan will generally be longer in alkaline pH.
- KH: 2 - 12 dKH
- Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
CARE INFORMATION:
- Diet: Scavenger that feeds continually. Requires very little feeding in a well-established aquarium containing algae, biofilm, or decaying plant matter. In less mature aquariums, high quality dry foods with high plant content can be sparingly fed daily. Nerite snails are often more finicky with dry foods.
- Social Behavior: Peaceful
- Origin: Philippines
- Average Adult Size: 1.2 inches (3 cm)
- Average Purchase Size: .5 - 1 inches (1.3 – 2.5 cm)
What makes the Gold Racer Nerite Snail different from other nerites?
Gold Racer Nerites are known for their bright gold to yellow shell coloration, often with subtle striping or patterning. They stand out more than darker nerites, especially against planted tanks and darker substrates.
Are Gold Racer Nerite Snails good algae eaters?
Yes. Like other racer nerites, they’re excellent at cleaning algae from glass, rocks, and hard surfaces. They’re particularly effective on tougher algae that many other snails ignore.
Do Gold Racer Nerite Snails eat live plants?
No. They are completely plant safe and will not damage healthy leaves. Their focus is algae and biofilm only.
Are Gold Racer Nerite Snails safe with shrimp and fish?
Yes. They’re peaceful, shrimp safe, and won’t bother fish or other invertebrates.
How big do Gold Racer Nerite Snails get?
They typically stay around 1 inch in size. Their compact footprint makes them suitable for a wide range of aquarium sizes.
Are Gold Racer Nerite Snails active?
Very. Once settled, they spend much of the day grazing and moving across glass and décor, making them easy to spot and enjoyable to watch.
Do Gold Racer Nerite Snails reproduce in freshwater tanks?
They may lay small white eggs on hard surfaces, but the eggs will not hatch in freshwater. Population growth is not a concern.
Do Gold Racer Nerite Snails need algae to survive?
Yes. They do best in tanks with existing algae and biofilm. They’re not ideal for newly set-up or ultra-clean tanks without natural grazing surfaces.
Do Gold Racer Nerite Snails need calcium?
Yes. Like all snails, they benefit from calcium and stable water parameters to maintain strong, healthy shells.
Who are Gold Racer Nerite Snails best suited for?
They’re ideal for aquarists who want strong algae control paired with bright, eye-catching coloration and no risk of overpopulation.
Shipping, Arrival & Acclimation
How are Gold Racer Nerite Snails shipped?
They’re packed for live arrival with insulation and temperature control used as needed. Shipping methods prioritize animal health over speed.
What should I do when my snail arrives?
Open the box promptly and inspect the snail while it’s still sealed in the bag. It’s very common for nerites to arrive inactive or tightly closed after transit.
How should I acclimate a Gold Racer Nerite Snail?
A slow acclimation works best. Gradually introduce tank water to the bag water so the snail can adjust to temperature and water chemistry differences.
Is drip acclimation recommended for nerite snails?
Yes. Drip acclimation helps reduce stress and supports healthy shell adjustment, especially if your tank parameters differ from the shipping water.
Should I expect immediate movement after adding the snail to the tank?
Not always. Some nerites begin grazing quickly, while others may take several hours to emerge. Both behaviors are normal.
How can I tell if the snail is alive after arrival?
If the operculum (trap door) is tightly closed, that’s usually a good sign. Once settled, most nerites will slowly emerge and begin grazing.
Should I feed the snail right away?
Usually not necessary. They’ll begin grazing on algae and biofilm naturally. Supplemental food can be offered later if algae levels are low.
What tanks are best for newly arrived Gold Racer Nerite Snails?
Established, fully cycled tanks with visible algae and stable parameters are ideal. Nerites do best in mature systems.
Shell Care & Calcium (Important for All Invertebrates)
Once acclimation is complete, long-term success depends on shell and mineral support. This applies to all snails, shrimp, crabs, and crayfish.
Why is calcium important for invertebrates?
Calcium and trace minerals are required to build and maintain shells and exoskeletons. Without proper mineral support, shells can thin, pit, crack, or erode over time.
Which animals need calcium and mineral support?
All invertebrates do. If it has a shell or exoskeleton, minerals matter.
What problems are caused by low minerals?
Common issues include shell erosion, pitting, cracking, soft shells, and failed molts — especially after shipping or water changes.
Is it normal to see shell changes after arrival?
Yes. New shell growth may look different from older sections, and this is normal as the snail adjusts to its new environment.
Can damaged shells be repaired?
Old damage won’t disappear, but new growth can improve significantly once mineral balance, diet, and stability are corrected.
Does water hardness affect shell health?
Yes. Extremely soft or acidic water can contribute to shell erosion over time. In these cases, supplemental calcium becomes especially important.
What’s the easiest way to add calcium?
Cuttlebone is a simple, low-maintenance option that slowly releases calcium and can remain in the tank continuously.
Does diet affect shell health?
Absolutely. In addition to natural grazing, offering quality invertebrate foods helps provide consistent mineral intake. Dedicated foods from Kats Aquatics are an easy way to support shell strength and long-term health.
What helps most after acclimation?
Stable parameters, available calcium, gentle feeding, and avoiding sudden changes. Consistency is the biggest factor in long-term success.
For the safety of our animals, we only ship live fish, crabs, and select other inverts exclusively via UPS 1 Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS 1 Day Air as a shipping option during checkout. If other items are in your cart that can ship with 2 day or standard shipping options the only shipping method you can still select is UPS 1 Day Air.
UPS 1 Day is a description of the duration of time a shipment will spend in transit once it has been shipped. This does not guarantee the package will be shipped the same or next day from which the order was placed.
Shipping Schedule for this service
Current Handling Time:
1-9 business days
Here at Aquatic Arts, we consider the welfare of the live animals we are shipping to be of the foremost importance. This process is much more involved than simply creating a shipping label and affixing it to a box. Depending on the order, it takes from 4 to 7 people to complete this process properly. We check the weather conditions here where they fly out of the Indianapolis UPS facility and the destination for each shipment. We start early each morning and go through a multi-step process to have the day's shipments prepared in time for the UPS pickup. The volume of orders in our system also affects the processing time. Therefore our stated handling time is 1-9 business days.
Shipping Rate
Pricing is by size of package needed to fill entire order and distance it must travel. It will be calculated at checkout.
