Midnight Black Nerite Snail (Vittina jovis)

This nerite snail has a nearly all-black shell and is a striking contrast to virtually all other animals and plants in the aquarium!

The Midnight Black Nerite Snail (Vittina jovis) is a very rare nerite species that is native to the Philippines and is known for its jet black shell that sometimes also has flecks of bright orange coloration. Not to be confused with the Black Racer Nerite Snail (Vittina pulligera), its appearance is nearly identical to the Zebra Nerite Snail (Neritina natalensis), minus the gold stripes of the Zebra Nerite Snail. It can live for upwards of 4 years, so it is relatively long-lived among its relatives. Though it inhabits freshwater habitats as an adult, its fry require brackish or marine water to survive, so it will not proliferate in a freshwater aquarium and it is not known to have been bred commercially or otherwise.

Most of the nerite snails we offer have very similar care requirements and characteristics, and the Midnight Black 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
• Striking black shell
• 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)