About the species

The zebra snail is one of the hobby's most classic algae eaters, with a golden-yellow to nut-brown shell and clear dark cross bands. The pattern varies between individuals and the wavy banding gives the species its name. It grazes algae from glass, stone and driftwood around the clock and leaves healthy plants entirely alone.

Facts

• Latin name: Vittina natalensis
• Common name: Zebra Snail
• Size: 2–3 cm
• Lifespan: 3–8 years

Behavior

Zebra 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

Zebra 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

The zebra snail is our recommendation if you want serious algae work without any risk of reproduction. Reckon with roughly one snail per 10 litres. It is especially prone to climbing, so make sure the lid closes tightly.