Clithon corona
The detail-oriented nerite. Small black-and-yellow shells with distinctive horn spines. Especially good for nano tanks where a 2.5cm zebra nerite is too large to navigate the hardscape gaps.
Horned Nerite Snail (Clithon corona) is an aquarium snail in family Neritidae, native to Southeast Asia (estuarine streams). Adults reach 1–1.5 cm; minimum tank 15 L. Target 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, 6–15 dGH, 3–10 dKH. Shell calcium demand: high. Diet: algae grazer, Eats green spot algae, soft green algae, biofilm, and diatoms across glass and hardscape. Tiny mouth makes it a precision grazer, better for tight corners than broad surfaces. Breeding: Same as zebra nerite, lays white eggs on hardscape that will not hatch in freshwater. Eggs are cosmetic-only outside brackish water. Algae-eating rating: 5/5. Plant-safe: Yes. Tank mates: Peaceful community fish and shrimp. Avoid puffers, large loaches, and crayfish.
Care at a glance
The detail-oriented nerite. Small black-and-yellow shells with distinctive horn spines. Especially good for nano tanks where a 2.5cm zebra nerite is too large to navigate the hardscape gaps.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete planted-aquarium guide.
The parameters that decide whether horned nerite snail fits in your tank.
Neritidae
Algae grazer
Eats green spot algae, soft green algae, biofilm, and diatoms across glass and hardscape. Tiny mouth makes it a precision grazer, better for tight corners than broad surfaces.
Same as zebra nerite, lays white eggs on hardscape that will not hatch in freshwater. Eggs are cosmetic-only outside brackish water.
1–2 yrs
High
Yes
Southeast Asia (estuarine streams)
Southeast Asia (estuarine streams)
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Minimum tank: 15 L. Horned Nerite Snail (Clithon corona) reach 1–1.5 cm as adults.
Target 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, 6–15 dGH, and 3–10 dKH. Shell calcium demand is high, supplement with cuttlebone or a mineral stone if your water is soft.
Plant safety: Yes. Horned Nerite Snail are algae grazer, Eats green spot algae, soft green algae, biofilm, and diatoms across glass and hardscape. Tiny mouth makes it a precision grazer, better for tight corners than broad surfaces.
Tank mates: Peaceful community fish and shrimp. Avoid puffers, large loaches, and crayfish.
Algae-eating rating: 5/5. Eats green spot algae, soft green algae, biofilm, and diatoms across glass and hardscape. Tiny mouth makes it a precision grazer, better for tight corners than broad surfaces.
Same as zebra nerite, lays white eggs on hardscape that will not hatch in freshwater. Eggs are cosmetic-only outside brackish water.
Typical lifespan: 1–2 years in a stable, well-maintained tank.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this snail with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
