Assorted Racer Nerite Snail
- In stock, ready to ship
- Backordered, shipping soon
The Red Racer and Gold Racer Nerite Snail Combo contains a mix of color and patterns of the rare and beautiful Vittina waigiensis
All variations of this species are an extraordinarily beautiful freshwater nerite species that are native to the Philippines. This species is among the rarest snail species in the aquarium world, so it is very seldom available. The Red Racer and Gold Racer Nerite Snails have a highly variable shell appearance, but its many possible patterns are all among the most attractive of any ornamental freshwater or marine snail. Their shell patterns are extremely variable so not all patterns are photographed as it would be nearly impossible to do so. They can live for upwards of 4 years, so they are relatively long-lived among their relatives. They require brackish or marine water for the fry to survive, so they will not proliferate in a freshwater aquarium and they are not known to have been bred commercially.
These snails create an extremely attractive color combination while providing diligent scavenging and algae eating services!
- Red Racer Nerite Snail (Vittina waigiensis)
- Gold Racer Nerite Snail (Vittina waigiensis)
Most of the nerite snails we offer have very similar care requirements and characteristics. They inhabit fresh and brackish water areas and cannot reproduce in freshwater. These snails are very effective algae eaters 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 these snails can live in a wide variety of pH levels, they will live for much longer in alkaline water of over 7.0 pH. If they are kept in acidic water, they are more prone to experience shell erosion. Calcium supplementation (especially when using R/O water) is highly recommended for maintaining magnificent shell quality.
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: 3 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 does “assorted” mean for Racer Nerite Snails?
Assorted means you’ll receive a mix of shell patterns and striping. Racer Nerites are known for their unique markings, and no two shells look exactly alike.
What makes Racer Nerite Snails different from other nerites?
They’re more active than many other nerite varieties. Racer Nerites tend to move constantly across glass and hardscape, making them very visible and effective algae grazers.
Are Racer Nerite Snails good algae eaters?
Yes. They excel at cleaning algae from glass, rocks, and décor. They’re one of the most effective hard-surface algae grazers available.
Do Racer Nerite Snails eat live plants?
No. They are completely plant safe and won’t damage healthy leaves. They focus on algae and biofilm only.
Are Racer Nerite Snails safe with shrimp and fish?
Yes. They’re peaceful and shrimp safe. They won’t bother fish, shrimp, or other invertebrates.
Do 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.
How big do Racer Nerite Snails get?
They usually stay around 1 inch. Their small size makes them suitable for a wide range of aquariums.
Are Racer Nerite Snails active or mostly hidden?
Very active once settled. You’ll often see them grazing throughout the day, especially in tanks with visible algae.
Do Racer Nerite Snails need calcium?
Yes. Like all snails, they benefit from calcium and stable water conditions to maintain strong shells over time.
Who are Assorted Racer Nerite Snails best suited for?
They’re ideal for aquarists who want strong algae control without plant damage or unwanted reproduction.
Shipping, Arrival & Acclimation
How are Racer Nerite Snails shipped?
They’re packed for live arrival with insulation and temperature control used when needed. Shipping methods prioritize animal health over speed.
What should I do when my snails arrive?
Open the box promptly and inspect the snails while they’re still sealed in the bag. It’s common for nerites to arrive inactive or tightly closed after shipping.
How should I acclimate Racer Nerite Snails?
A slow acclimation works best. Gradually introduce tank water to the bag water so the snails can adjust to temperature and water chemistry differences.
Is drip acclimation recommended for nerite snails?
Yes. Drip acclimation helps reduce stress, especially if your tank parameters differ from the shipping water.
Should I expect immediate movement after adding them to the tank?
Not always. Some nerites begin grazing quickly, while others may take several hours to emerge. Both are normal.
How can I tell if a nerite snail is alive after arrival?
If the operculum (trap door) is tightly closed, that’s usually a good sign. Once settled, most will slowly emerge and begin grazing.
Should I feed Racer Nerite Snails 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 Racer Nerite Snails?
Established, 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 fail to harden after molting.
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 molts after arrival?
Yes. Clear molts from shrimp or crayfish are a good sign and mean the animal is growing—not dying.
Should molts or shed shells be removed from the tank?
No. Leaving molts in the tank allows invertebrates to reclaim calcium naturally. They’re often consumed within a day.
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.
Does diet affect shell and molt 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 successful molts.
What helps most after acclimation?
Stable parameters, available calcium, gentle feeding, and avoiding sudden changes. Consistency here makes the biggest difference long term.
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.
