Mystery of the Nerite Behavior

Hello all,

So have had 2 mystery snails for a month then 4 days ago added another mystery and 3 nerite snail.
I got mystery for the novelty more than algae eating but the nerites because they have a reputation for algae clean up.
Here's my observations though.
Mystery snails constantly on the move except for occasional naps and eating everything they can.
Nerite snails. Pretty sure one is dead but I'm hoping it's just hibernating. Two definitely alive ones climbed the two highest decorations in tank and haven't moved more than 6 inches in any direction. They seem to be eating algae on decor.
So basically mystery are being interesting and cleaning and nerites pretty rocks with minimal cleaning ability.

Water parameters
Nitrates 10-20
Nitrites 0
Ammonia 0
Ph: 7.2
Calcium 80ppm
Temp: 74

Is the behavior normal for both snails?

 

Yes it's normal. To tell if the one snail is dead check it now and then for a very strong, yucky smell.

It may also depend on the personality of the individual snail. I have two nerite snails, a lazy male, and an active female. The male pretty much goes to one spot and hangs there for a long while. I know he moves because he is in a different spot in two hours or more. The female is all over the place, usually munching away and popping out eggs.

They do both go running...(sliding..sliming?) when I put in veggie or snail jello.

 

The nerites may just also have found some really good spots to clean. Mine have done that before, stay in one place for a bit, and then when they move, it's because there's nothing left there for them to eat.

 

Nerites are the algae-eating champions compared to mystery snails from what I've seen. I'll agree that mystery snails are much more interesting, but I wouldn't discount the nerites just because you haven't seen them move much.

 

OK. The nerites are doing good job on the statues just wish more active. I was being nice to shop owner so they aren't even the prettiest nerites from tanks .Shop owner just grabbed whoever wasn't plastered to tank side and confirmed there was a body in shell.

 

They should hopefully get more active as time goes on. They'll clean and then start having to move around more and more to find food

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Something I do when I've bought snails in store is only buy them if they are climbing on something like plants or walls, so I know they feel good enough to be active.

 

Like I said let store guy pick snails instead of specifying snails on tank sides

 

Nerites laughed at my offer of cucumber and so did other tank members. Oh well I like cucumber

 

It may take a few tries, mine did. It's one of their favorites at this point, popular with everyone.

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I have had one that is sitting on the top of the shell of another for 2 weeks, just riding it everywhere in the tank.

 

I'm discovering snails are weird lol

 

I'm discovering snails are weird lol

So true! People really don't give them credit for being as interesting as they are, at least in my opinion. My nerites laugh at most food I put in for them, excluding snail jello and spinach, but if it's spinach, they usually don't want it until at least 24 hours in the tank.

 

I read another post you were in Bithimala so no surprise but I just saw last night my golden mystery fighting to keep hold of an algae wafer as three Cory tried to tag team the wafer away but snail just kinda pulled halfway into shell to keep grip. Added two new nerite also who are being more interesting . People think I'm crazy when I talk about snails as interesting.

 

Here's a few pictures with Nerites. I laugh watching them almost every day. one picture is a Horned Nerite playing tarzan on an anacharis stem swinging from the intake




This one is about 12" off the ground and off the front glass on a piece of spinach




They seem to like ZuccinI better the cuke but eat both.




I seem to think a cuttlebone will not only help there shell they became even more active when I put one in the HOB and one on the floor.




Just a close up





Just playing around. I have one with 5 nerites like this 4 Zebra and a Horned

Give them chance the Horned Nerite will keep your plants leaves green but it's a shame there life lasts only about a year.


Forgot these




Look close there slightly off the substrate


Almost forgot tarzan

 

Beautiful pictures!