Mystery Snail Vs Nerite Snail

I've got a 5 gallon tank with a betta in it and was thinking of putting a snail in there with him.
I originally wanted a mystery snail because, from what I've heard, they don't lay all the eggs that the nerites do (and I've heard that the nerites really lay a lot of eggs), they're less picky eaters, and, frankly, they're a little bigger -- I wanted something I could see in my tank, not something pretty small like a nerite.

But on the other hand, I've heard that mystery snails have a higher bioload, so I'd probably have to up my water changes from once a week to twice a week or more. I've also heard that some bettas will nip the longer antennae of the mystery snails (I'm not super concerned about that as my betta is more the inquisitive type than aggressive). I've also heard that nerites will eat the algae in your tank and mysteries won't -- but I really don't have that much algae in my tank, I'm getting a snail more for ornamental/pet reasons.

So what do you guys think?

EDIT: Also, how many nerites would live happily in my tank with the betta? I know only 1 mystery snail could go in there because it would be living with the fish, but could more than one nerite go in there?

 

I have and like both and frankly I've never had a nerite lay eggs. Go for a mystery if you want! Their antics are pretty entertaining and they come in some pretty cool colours. Just remember that they need supplemental feeding

 

I have and like both and frankly I've never had a nerite lay eggs. Go for a mystery if you want! Their antics are pretty entertaining and they come in some pretty cool colours. Just remember that they need supplemental feeding

I actually don't mind the supplemental feeding -- I was more concerned about nerites not accepting algae wafers and things like that, I'd heard about that on other forums.

So you'd say that a mystery is more entertaining than a nerite? Like they don't just sit in one spot all day? (sorry, I'm new to snails!)

 

Having had both, I would choose Nerites. Also, depending on the temperment of your betta, it may or may not work out. I had a Betta with a mystery snail and for months didn't do anything. Then one day, the betta was blowing a bubble nest and maybe the snail was in the way???? All heck broke loose and the betta started attacking the snail. Luckily I was there to witness it and get the snail out to my other tank.

So here are the pro's and cons of both.

Mystery snail - they do lay egg clutches ( even without a male present for several months ) if you bought one from a store with mixed male and female, if you have a female, there's a good chance that she may lay a few clutches of eggs. They can easily be removed though since they lay them above the water line.
Mystery snails have a heavy bioload - that being said, you will probably only be able to have 1, maybe 2 in your size tank.
All snails will need supplemental feeding, especially to make sure that they get enough calcium. They need hard water with a higher ph ( range around 7.0 - 8.0 )


Nerite snails - low on the bioload ( you could easily have 10 - 15 in your tank ) and they do not breed in fresh water. They do however lay white sesame seed sized eggs which are hard to scrape off of ornaments/glass, etc.
Mine stopped laying them though after a few years.

I feed my 50+ Nerites zucchini, pumpkin, squash, cucumbers, most veggies

 

I haven't had a mystery snail before, but I do have a nerite. He's in my ten gallon, and I'm telling you, my tank has never looked cleaner! I don't really have to feed him anything specific either. But I would listen to other members that have more snail experience

 

I haven't had a mystery snail before, but I do have a nerite. He's in my ten gallon, and I'm telling you, my tank has never looked cleaner! I don't really have to feed him anything specific either. But I would listen to other members that have more snail experience

Yes, they DO eat diatoms and algae whereas most mystery snails will not!!! I knew I forgot to add something! Thanks for the reminder!!!

 

Yes, they DO eat diatoms and algae whereas most mystery snails will not!!! I knew I forgot to add something! Thanks for the reminder!!!

One of the best purchases ever lol!

 

One of the best purchases ever lol!

I have at least 50+ nerites ranging from the larger tiger/olive/zebra's to the small bumblebee's and horned. Very hard workers as you can see they love their zucchini! Who knew they could eat like this!


See how clean he got one of the leaves?

 

I personally like mysteries more especially if you don't have an algae problem or get a lot of it since nerites are picky eaters. also mysteries are a lot more fun and interesting then nerites, I can spend all day watching mine lol. you won't have to up your water changes just once a week will be fine if you go with a mystery. nerites are small so you can have about 2-3 in a 5gal but they will need some sort of algae, I haven't had any success with trying to feed my nerites algae wafers or veggies. they are rather cute but aren't as interesting to have as a mystery snail is

 

I have two nerites in my 20 gal so I usually ain't concerned with food but I do give them a slice of cucumber once in a while. I think nerite snails are good cleaners and maintenance is pretty easy. Need some calcium though for either snails. I want a mystery snail but my fear is it growing too large (I have an empty 6 gal). But when you get your snail/snails post pics!

 

Here's a help . Mystery snails are cool colors and typically more fun to watch . Nerites may lay eggs but young won't survive . Don't worry about that . Won't have a snail infestation . But merited come in all shapes and sizes . So do some research on different types of nerites and then choose

 

I've decided to go with a mystery snail. But one question: could I have two mysteries in a 5 gallon with my betta, or would it be safe to only go with one?

Thanks, everyone!

 

I've decided to go with a mystery snail. But one question: could I have two mysteries in a 5 gallon with my betta, or would it be safe to only go with one?

Thanks, everyone!

That’s up to you. Personally, I love my Mystery Snails. While they don’t take care of much of the algae on the glass, they love the algae on my plants (Anubias).

 

That’s up to you. Personally, I love my Mystery Snails. While they don’t take care of much of the algae on the glass, they love the algae on my plants (Anubias).

So 2 would be okay? (Of course I'd have to keep of top of my water changes, I've heard they're bigger waste producers!)

 

two would be fine in a 5gal, although if its a tall tank it might look a little cramped

 

Thanks! Even with a betta, 2 would be OK? btw it's a long tank

two would be fine in a 5gal, although if its a tall tank it might look a little cramped

 

yep two would be fine in that tank size ^.^

 

From personal experience I wouldn't recommend more than 1 in a 5 gallon. They're active snails with a higher bioload and it might be too much activity in close quarters for your betta.

 

I used to have a zebra nerite. I liked it a lot, except that it laid a ton off unsightly eggs all over my driftwood. I rehomed it. If I could get a guaranteed male, I'd get one again.

 

Pros and cons? I'll only be keeping 1. I haven't decided what type of snail to get the kids. They have spessificly asked for a snail in our 10 gallon which will have endlers. We have kept a nerite before with great success but I have heard wonderful things about mystery snails. My main concern is if other food is provided will it still eat my plants?

 

IMO - mystery snails won't eat your plants.
They'll clean algae off them & they are interested in grazing on dead or dying plant matter but it's rather common knowledge that they don't eat plants.
Of course some people believe they will & there may be exceptions too. But none I know of.

 

Are they more active than nerites? Would my kids enjoy one more? I know there are lots of different colors.

 

Mysteries are usually easier to find than nerites ( in the tank I mean ) but if it were me I would do 2 nerites you could do a tiger and a zebra and they will help with any algae that grows on the glass. Mysteries are fun to watch but will eat far less algae and a single one will probably have a bigger bioload than 2 nerites.

 

Mystery Snails:
Pros-
- Large
- Active
- Fun to watch
- variety
- will breed
- easy to care for
- good algae eater
Cons-
- Will breed (likely won't over populate but watch them)
- large (slightly more bioload)
- Can be inactive for long periods of time

Nerite Snail:
Pros-
- Active
- Small
- good algae eater
- won't breed
- easy to care for
- fun to watch
- variety
cons-
- No chance of breeding
- harder to com across different variety
- like to escape

Hope this helps a bit! This is a very basic list, personally I would just get one of each but that's just me

EDIT: I have more mystery snails than nerite snails. I personally just like how big they get, nerites I believe can be more active though.

 

Mystery Snails:
Pros-
- Large
- Active
- Fun to watch
- variety
- will breed
- easy to care for
- good algae eater
Cons-
- Will breed (likely won't over populate but watch them)
- large (slightly more bioload)
- Can be inactive for long periods of time

Nerite Snail:
Pros-
- Active
- Small
- good algae eater
- won't breed
- easy to care for
- fun to watch
- variety
cons-
- No chance of breeding
- harder to com across different variety
- like to escape

Hope this helps a bit! This is a very basic list, personally I would just get one of each but that's just me

EDIT: I have more mystery snails than nerite snails. I personally just like how big they get, nerites I believe can be more active though.

I would love to have one of each but I am worried about bio load in a 10g, I have a sponge filter due to floating plants and the possibility of endler babies. We are planning on endlers guppies and probably 1 snail.. I'd love a larger aquarium but it's not on the cards so have to make the most of what I have.

 

Do you have a pic of your tank? I would still do 2 nerites

 

Have a bacterial bloom right now.. it's also still being cycled and isn't ready. I still have time to consider. I'll think about it until my aquarium is ready. A snail will probably be the first inhabitant.

 

Be warned that mysteries are easily mixed up with apple snails and you may take home one that is not a mystery by mistake since theyre so easy to confuse... they're in the same family.

I bought 4 "mystery" snails, but they ended up being apple snails and eat EVERY plant lol and theyre fed well. I love them, theyre fun and entertaining snails, but I can't have a planted tank theyre in sadly.


I also have nerites. They don't have as much "personality" as my apples, but they clean sooooooo good. My apples make more mess than they clean lol the nerites are the best cleaners and are plant safe.

 

Have a bacterial bloom right now.. it's also still being cycled and isn't ready. I still have time to consider. I'll think about it until my aquarium is ready. A snail will probably be the first inhabitant.

Tank looks very nice. I would wait till the tank is more established before adding a snail into it. What were u planning on adding to the tank? A Betta?

 

A few endler guppies.

 

A few endler guppies.

opppps sorry I did read that in your original post....

 

Id think you may be able to do 1 of each if you are really torn between the two

 

opppps sorry I did read that in your original post....

No problem

Id think you may be able to do 1 of each if you are really torn between the two

I will take a look at the aquatic calculator and see what it thinks too.

 

Know that nerites while unable to reproduce in freshwater will still lay eggs over the decor and glass if you happen to get a female. You can't always tell just by looking at them but the ladies are usually bigger than males.

I personally like nerites over mystery snails just because of their diversity. You can find them in many different colours, sizes, shapes, etc. Some even have spikes!

I think a child may like a mystery snail a bit more though. Their larger size seems to be more exciting or something.