About the species

Military Helmet is one of the largest nerites, with a smooth, domed shell in brown to almost black that genuinely resembles a helmet. The aperture is edged with an orange-yellow ring that contrasts nicely with the dark shell. It is a powerful algae eater that prefers to work where the flow is good.

Facts

• Latin name: Neritina pulligera
• Common name: Military Helmet Snail
• Size: 2–3.5 cm
• Lifespan: 3–8 years

Behavior

Military Helmet Snail is a peaceful and tireless grazer that works across glass, stone and driftwood around the clock. It leaves healthy plants alone and suits shrimp, other snails and calm fish very well. A tight lid matters — nerite snails readily climb out of the water and find every gap.

Reproduction

• Females deposit small, hard white egg capsules on stone, driftwood and glass
• The larvae require brackish or salt water to develop further
• The species therefore cannot reproduce in a freshwater aquarium and never becomes numerous

Feeding

Military Helmet Snail grazes aufwuchs and feeds on:

• Diatoms and green algae
• Biofilm and bacterial growth
• Cyanobacteria and detritus

Grazing alone is rarely enough — supplement with:

• Food for algae eaters and snails
• Blanched courgette, spinach or nettle
• Catappa and other leaves that grow biofilm

Aquarium

• Minimum aquarium size: 45 litres
• Substrate: Gravel with stone and driftwood to graze on

Difficulty level

🟢 Easy

Recommendation

Give it a spot with good flow and high oxygen. This species is fussy about substitute foods and prefers to live on real aufwuchs, so put it in a well-established aquarium with algae growth rather than a newly started tank.