There are reasons why nerite snails are popular in the aquatic community, and one of them is that these snails can clean off leftovers and algae from fish tanks.
If you prefer to keep nerite snails in your aquarium, you probably want to breed them. Unfortunately, most articles online are concerned with caring for them rather than breeding them.
No need to worry! We will cover how to hatch nerite snail eggs in this article.
Let’s check it out!
How to Hatch Nerite Snail Eggs?
Unlike other species, the nerite snail does not lay in clutches. Moreover, it will not stop till it covers the whole aquarium with its tiny eggs.
Its eggs can stick to glasses, pebbles, driftwoods, decors, and filters. So to put it simply, the eggs of these snails can be everywhere in your aquarium.
Because of their tiny size and adhesiveness, it is not easy to remove them. Yet, if you decide to raise nerite snails, here are the steps you need to follow.
Step 1: Select the instance You Prefer For Breeding
If your nerite snails are kept in one community aquarium, taking them out is the first thing you need to do.
Although this species can survive in one freshwater tank, they require a brackish water tank for hatching their eggs.
But eggs of nerite snails would be individually laid, making them likely to get damaged within the rubdown.
As a result, switching their eggs from one freshwater aquarium to a brackish water tank sounds like a poor idea.
Step 2: Set Up A Separate Water Tank
Putting nerite snails in a brackish water aquarium is required for breeding
We recommend choosing a group or a pair and putting them in one brackish water aquarium. So, they will breed, and their eggs should hatch as normal.
Many aquarists make mistakes when it comes to brackish water. Specifically, many believe brackish water is similar to saltwater, which you can find in the ocean. But it is not the case!
In other words, brackish water is between saltwater and freshwater, meaning it features higher salinity than freshwater and lesser salinity than seawater.
Here is a guide on making one brackish water tank with the proper levels of salinity for nerite snails and their eggs:
- In case you prefer to use tap water, dechlorinating it first is necessary.
- Pour dechlorinated water into a bucket.
- Put between 2 and 2.5 tbsp of salt for each water gallon. Anything between 1.005 and 1,015SG will be a proper figure.
- Stir your water and leave it for about thirty minutes to ensure the salt can be entirely saturated.
- Use a refractometer or hydrometer to check out the salinity levels.
- Keep putting marine salt until you gain your expected salinity levels.
While preparing your brackish tank, you also need to consider the secondary substrate, which is one of the essential elements. Opting for corals, cuttlebones, or other calcium sources to mineralize your water is okay.
After the nerite snail’s eggs hatch, their newborns can make these supplements in the best way. You should ensure the calcium content is between 350 and 450 ppm. Regarding temperature, keeping it from 72 to 78°F is ideal.
Make sure the levels of Ammonia & nitrite are at 0 ppm. Also, the nitrate should be under 20 ppm. KH (Carbonate hardness) range from 8 to 12 dKH is ideal.
Step 3: The Laying Day
The color of the neurite snails’ eggs will begin to turn from brighter yellow to dark yellow. It is a sign that these eggs are about to hatch, typically occurring in the third week after your snails laid eggs.
These eggs generally take eighteen to twenty-five days to open from the time they’re laid.
These snails lay their eggs individually rather than in clutches, but their single egg carries several eggs. Hence, what everyone thinks is one egg is truly a pod that includes many eggs.
The number of these eggs can range from 30 – 80. That way, you can expect hordes of baby snails after hatching.
Not all eggs will hatch simultaneously. As a result, it might take approximately seven days for all babies to come out.
FAQS
When to Switch My Newborn Snails Back to My Community Tank?
Your newborn nerite snails will not be larger compared with the size of one pea. So you should wait one month or more before relocating them.
What Does the Nerite Snail Egg Look Like?
Your newly laid egg should be yellow. But, over time, they will start to fertilize, making them turn dark, and showing the embryo’s development inside them.
Is The Nerite Snail Effortless to Breed?
You may find it quite tricky if it is your first time breeding them.
However, patience and practice will make it easier for you over time. Just follow the step-by-step instructions mentioned above, and you will be okay.
How Long Will It Take for My Snails’ Eggs to Hatch?
It might take about one month from when your nerite snails laid eggs to reach the hatching day. But remember, not all hatch at the same time. So it will take about one week for all to hatch and for baby snails to come out.
How Long Will It Take for Baby Snails to Grow?
These newborn snails typically grow at a slow pace. In most cases, it will take about one year to get their full size. This pace will depend on their habitat amenities and diet.
The Bottom Line
By the end of this post, you should know how to hatch nerite snail eggs. It can be a bit difficult for inexperienced beginners. But with patience and practice, you will get better over time.
Let us know when you have successfully bred them. We’d love to hear stories from our readers.
