10 Gallon Tank New Betta Nipping at Nerite Snail

Hi there,

Long time lurker on the forum, and thought I'd reach out for some advice or help:

I just got a Betta yesterday and added it to my 10gallon with 2 nerite snails I've had for almost 2 years. On the first day the Betta was just curious, but today he is regularly nipping at one of the nerites.

When should I make the call to switch him to a different tank? Will things settle as he settles into the tank? I've had a Betta with snails before (a mystery snail, can you believe it) and I had no issue.
I've had these snails for a long time so naturally, I want to protect them.

 

Give it some time. If it keeps on happening for over a week, then I would step in. I doubt the betta would do much damage though, the most probably snipping an antenna off. Bettas are just curious creatures whenever anything moves. I have a nerite with my betta. She was curious for a day or two but never bothered it after. My nerites would just bury itself into the sand if it didn’t feel comfortable.

 

If it keeps on happening for over a week, then I would step in. I doubt the beta would do much damage though, the most probably snipping an antenna off. Bettas are just curious creatures whenever anything moves. I have a nerite with my betta. She was curious for a day or two but never bothered it after. My nerites would just bury itself into the sand if it didn’t feel comfortable.

Thanks for your swift response!

Yeah I noticed one of the nerites has "disappeared" into the sand, and the more active, adventurous one is getting charged at every few minutes.
I sure hope he relaxes and leaves it alone!

 

I added a tiger nerite to my male’s tank and he didn’t mind it. My female’s tank on the other hand. She was not having it. It eventually did subside though and she no longer pecks at it and let’s it do it’s thing. Hopefully this will be the case for your snail.

 

I added a tiger nerite to my male’s tank and he didn’t mind it. My female’s tank on the other hand. She was not having it. It eventually did subside though and she no longer pecks at it and let’s it do it’s thing. Hopefully this will be the case for your snail.

Today he is less nippy. Now he just swims very close to the snails, hovers, and then brushes them with his tail.
Crisis averted! (For now...)