Nerite snail Tank Mates
Short answer: the best nerite snail tank mates are Cherry shrimp, Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora. Nerite snails need 72–77 °F (22–25 °C), pH 7–8.4 and at least 5 gallons.
Nerite snail care at a glance
| Adult size | 1.0 in (2.5 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 5 US gallons |
| Temperature | 72–77 °F (22–25 °C) |
| pH | 7–8.4 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims in | Bottom |
| Group size | Can be kept singly or in pairs |
| Care level | Easy |
gallon tank
✅ Compatible tank mates (49)
- Cherry shrimp
- Betta fish
- Dwarf gourami
- Guppy
- Bristlenose pleco
- Harlequin rasbora
- Molly
- Neon tetra
- Platy
- Tiger barb
- Amano shrimp
- Celestial pearl danio
- Chili rasbora
- Ember tetra
- Mystery snail
- Otocinclus
- Panda cory
- Black skirt tetra
- Bronze cory
- Cardinal tetra
- Cherry barb
- Honey gourami
- Kuhli loach
- Rummy nose tetra
- Serpae tetra
- Zebra danio
- Swordtail
- Rainbow shark
- Red tail shark
- Siamese algae eater
- Common pleco
- Pygmy cory
- Sparkling gourami
- Black neon tetra
- Bloodfin tetra
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlid
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish
- Glass catfish
- Lemon tetra
- Peppered cory
- X-ray tetra
- Buenos Aires tetra
- Congo tetra
- Gold barb
- Odessa barb
- Rosy barb
- Firemouth cichlid
- Chinese algae eater
- Bala shark
⚠️ Possible with caution (12)
- Fancy goldfish — Very narrow shared temperature range: Fancy goldfish 20–23 °C (68–73 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- Angelfish — Very narrow shared temperature range: Angelfish 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- Endler's livebearer — Very narrow shared temperature range: Endler's livebearer 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- Glowlight tetra — Very narrow shared temperature range: Glowlight tetra 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- Kribensis — Very narrow shared temperature range: Kribensis 24–27 °C (75–81 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- Pearl gourami — Very narrow shared temperature range: Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F) vs Pearl gourami 24–30 °C (75–86 °F).
- Three spot gourami — Very narrow shared temperature range: Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F) vs Three spot gourami 24–30 °C (75–86 °F).
- Forktail blue-eye — Very narrow shared temperature range: Forktail blue-eye 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- Sterbai cory — Very narrow shared temperature range: Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F) vs Sterbai cory 24–28 °C (75–82 °F).
- Convict cichlid — Very narrow shared temperature range: Convict cichlid 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- Upside-down catfish — Very narrow shared temperature range: Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F) vs Upside-down catfish 24–28 °C (75–82 °F).
- Bolivian ram — Very narrow shared temperature range: Bolivian ram 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
❌ Not recommended (10)
- Oscar — Oscar eats snails.
- Pea puffer — Pea puffer eats snails.
- German blue ram — No comfortable shared temperature: German blue ram 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- White cloud mountain minnow — No comfortable shared temperature: Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F) vs White cloud mountain minnow 14–22 °C (57–72 °F).
- Electric yellow cichlid — Electric yellow cichlid eats snails.
- Discus — No comfortable shared temperature: Discus 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- Clown loach — Clown loach eats snails.
- Paradise fish — No comfortable shared temperature: Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F) vs Paradise fish 10–22 °C (50–72 °F).
- Boesemani rainbowfish — No comfortable shared temperature: Boesemani rainbowfish 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Nerite snail 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).
- Jack Dempsey — Jack Dempsey eats snails.
How many nerite snails per tank?
5 gal 10 gal 20 gal 29 gal 40 gal 55 gal 75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.
FAQ
What fish can live with nerite snails?
Good matches include Cherry shrimp, Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora. They share a temperature range with nerite snails (72–77 °F (22–25 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.
What fish should not live with nerite snails?
Avoid Oscar, Pea puffer, German blue ram, White cloud mountain minnow, Electric yellow cichlid, Discus.
What size tank do nerite snails need?
We recommend at least 5 US gallons for one nerite snail, more if you add tank mates.
Can nerite snails live alone?
Yes. Nerite snails do not need a group, though they can be kept with compatible tank mates.
Note: Compatibility depends on individual temperament, tank size, decor and how fish are introduced. Our verdicts use conservative rules applied to published care data (see methodology). They are guidance, not a guarantee. Quarantine new fish and watch for chasing, torn fins or hiding.