The saltwater (marine) nerite — a small, rounded intertidal snail and one of the most effective algae cleaners for glass and rock, eating diatoms, cyanobacteria, film and hair algae alike. Distinct from the popular freshwater Neritina nerite, this is the Caribbean 'checkered' Nerita tessellata. Like all nerites it grazes tirelessly and, in a normal reef, will not breed out of control.
ℹ️
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Small rounded shell to about 2.5 cm (1 in); a compact, hard-working grazer.
Lifespan
1–3 years
Social needs
group
Native region
Western Atlantic and Caribbean intertidal (Florida and West Indies to Brazil)
Origin
New World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Water type
🌊 Marine
Family
Neritidae
Genus
Nerita
Part of the Marine Snails
Grazing and detritivore snails kept as reef-safe cleanup crew. Different species specialize in glass and rock algae, sand-bed detritus, or leftover food; stock to match available food, keep copper at zero, and acclimate slowly since snails are very sensitive to salinity shifts.
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Larva
Most marine invertebrates hatch into microscopic planktonic larvae (such as the zoea of crustaceans or the bipinnaria/veliger of echinoderms and mollusks) that drift and feed in the water column. The larva looks nothing like the adult and undergoes major reorganization.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
After settling out of the plankton, the juvenile takes on a recognizable miniature of the adult body plan — a tiny shell, a small star, or a translucent shrimp. Crustaceans grow by molting, shedding the exoskeleton to enlarge.
Photo coming soon
Adult
Adults reach full size and reproductive maturity with the species' mature shell, shape, or coloration. Many continue to molt or grow throughout life, and some show sex differences in size or claw/appendage shape.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Natural
Checkered (typical)
The usual form: a small, thick, rounded shell with a checkered or tessellated pattern of black or grey on a pale ground and a toothed aperture. A natural species, not a bred strain.
Habitat & enclosure
Keep a group in any established reef or FOWLR tank of 5-10 gallons (19-38 L) or more with live rock and glass carrying an algae film. Maintain stable reef parameters: temperature 72-80F (22-27C), pH 8.1-8.4, salinity SG 1.024-1.026, alkalinity 8-11 dKH, calcium 400-450 ppm and low nitrate with zero ammonia/nitrite.
Nerita tessellata lives high in the rocky intertidal zone across the western Atlantic and Caribbean, from Florida and the West Indies to Brazil. Because it is an intertidal animal it tolerates emersion and will climb the glass to and above the waterline, so a tight-fitting lid prevents escapes. Any reef lighting and moderate flow suit it.
Substrate
A glass-and-rock grazer, so algae-covered live rock and clean panes matter most; any sand or bare-bottom base works underneath. It particularly favors vertical surfaces and the upper tank where film algae and diatoms accumulate.
Equipment & setup
Standard marine equipment is enough: live-rock biofiltration, a heater, a protein skimmer and moderate flow. A secure, tight-fitting lid is the one extra worth having, since this intertidal snail climbs out. Keep calcium and alkalinity stable to protect the shell.
Diet
An excellent dedicated grazer of diatoms, cyanobacteria, film algae and hair algae on rock, glass and equipment — often singled out as the best snail for stubborn film and diatom coatings. In a spotless tank supplement with dried seaweed (nori) so it does not starve.
Behavior & temperament
Peaceful and fully reef-safe toward fish, corals and inverts. As an intertidal species it readily climbs glass and may wander above the waterline, occasionally crawling out of an open tank, so keep a lid. It may deposit small white eggs on hard surfaces; in a normal reef these rarely if ever produce a population, so it does not overrun the tank. Stock several to cover more surface.
Health
Sensitive to copper, salinity and temperature swings and prolonged air exposure like all marine snails — never use copper meds, drip-acclimate slowly and use a lid to prevent escape and desiccation. Eroding shell signals low calcium/alkalinity or acidic water; starvation strikes in over-clean tanks. Hermit crabs may kill it for the shell, so supply spare shells. Remove any dead snail promptly to avoid fouling. (Educational only, not a substitute for advice from an aquatic veterinarian.)
Tips, DIY & hacks
Use the marine nerite as your dedicated glass and film-algae crew, in groups. Keep a lid to stop it wandering out, drip-acclimate slowly, and supply spare shells if hermits are present. Do not confuse it with the freshwater Neritina nerite — they are different animals for different tanks.
Reviewed and signed off by: KinStation Editorial — pre-launch draft (pending DVM review) on 2026-06-10