Nerite Snails And Eggs?

so been reading up on nerite snails and seems they're the best cleaners of all snails and don't reproduce in freshwater like others....

"Nerite snails will not breed in pure freshwater. They can successfully be bred only in brackish water (semi-salty water, or water that has more salt water then fresh water, but less than sea water)"

"It’s often noted that Nerite Snails will not reproduce in fresh water. Because Nerites need brackish water to reproduce successfully, they will not take over a fresh water tank like many other snails do. This is one of the primary benefits of this snail. That said, Nerite Snail eggs will begin to appear on many hard surfaces of the tank. Nerite Snail eggs look like little white dots and are most noticeable on dark surfaces like HOB filter intakes and dark aquarium heaters, on the glass, or on decorations and ornaments. Nerite Snail eggs are hard and will need to be scraped off to be taken out of the tank."


ok so I have 2 questions.... if I get just ONE nerite snail there is a possibility if getting eggs still all over the tank? And if so... what have others done to remove these? is it a pain? And finally, is it best to get maybe 3 or 4 for a 20 gallon tank or will that just increase my odds of the eggs all over....? Will one snail do a good job on cleanup in a 20g?

 

One will certainly reduce your odds. Just use a razor blade to scrape them off if you get any. More will certainly increase the chance of females and therefore eggs.

 

ok thanks Greg... and would just 1 be useful as cleaning or nah?

 

I have one in my 29 that hasn't laid eggs yet. It does clean the algae, but I feel like 2 would be quicker/better.
However I haven't gotten the courage up yet to push my luck getting a second one. I don't really want the eggs.

 

Also, depends on how much the eggs will actually bother you. I've never worried about cleaning mine off. Also, don't know if I've just been lucky, but I've only had one who actually laid any eggs, and that's with having multiples in multiple tanks over a few years.

 

Also, depends on how much the eggs will actually bother you. I've never worried about cleaning mine off. Also, don't know if I've just been lucky, but I've only had one who actually laid any eggs, and that's with having multiples in multiple tanks over a few years.

So if I leave the eggs what happens to them? do they eventually fall off/go away and if so how long before that happens?

compared to mystery snails which is my best pick? They lay eggs but are just at the top that don't hatch correct? so could just scoop out if happens? But I read mystery snails are a lot messier than nerite (more poop)... or is it not much different than any other fish/snail

 

Mystery snails are bigger and don't eat a lot of algae. But they are nice to watch and come in different colors than the nerites. It is easy to remove their (the MS) eggs, they are in a clump above the water line. I have both, and that's what I would recommend.

 

If you want something to help clean, nerites are definitely the better bet. I love my mysteries, but they can be heavy on the bioload and do very little for any algae build up. Their eggs are certainly easier to remove, but don't think they'll necessarily do what you want, unless you just want an awesome snail to watch

 

The eggs aren't that big of a deal...Very small. I have them on a corner of my tank and don't even bother with them...Not something to worry about.