These aquarium snails are common choice of algae-eating snails among freshwater aquarists. In the aquarium trade, the striped shell of this species has caused it to be known as the Tiger Snail, Zebra Snail, or the more precise Zebra Nerite. In an aquarium, the shell of this species grows to about one inch in diameter. This aquarium snail prefers an aquarium temperature of 22 to 26°C.

Neritina natalensis is a species of small freshwater snails with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Neritidae, the nerites.

Distribution
This species occurs in Africa: in Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania

Overview
This Zebra Nerite Snail is one of the most, if not the most, popular nerite snail in the hobby. Its coloration is a beautiful golden shell with black jagged-edged stripes running down. It is one of the larger nerite snail with a size ranging from 1/2" to a full inch in size.

Breeding
One downside to the aquarium snails, and this applies to most other nerite snails, is its inability to breed in pure freshwater. The freshwater snails require brackish water in order to breed successfully. Some hobbyists have been somewhat successful in breeding nerite snails but it does not seem that the young snails survive for too long. Some may look at this as a plus, meaning that the Zebra Nerite will not over populate a tank and become another pest in the aquarium.

Appearance
The Zebra Nerite Snail is typically black and gold, or sometimes a gold-lime coloration. The coloration pattern is not a swirl but rather the color extends in lines from the very back tip of the snail. This aquarium snail is one of the most popular, if not the most, due to this beautiful coloration and pattern.

Feeding
Another plus for the aquarium snails is its algae eating abilities. This snail will clean your tank glass spotless and also clean algae off of rocks and even leaves. Many hobbyists purchase the Zebra Nerite Snail more because of its algae eating abilities than its visual looks. It is recommended that you supplement their diet with algae wafers or similar type food since the Tracked Nerite Snail may not be able to sustain itself solely on algae in the tank. This species is also larger than other nerite snails and will not be able to successfully eat algae off of small leaves due to its weight.

Behavior
The aquarium snails can tend to escape from a tank and make its way outside of the tank. It is considered a tidal snail and can live outside of water. Simply pick them up and put them back inside of the tank, they will survive as long as they have not been out of the tank for too long. It is recommend to keep an eye on them and look around the tank occasionally for possible escapes. It is thought that when the snail is uncomfortable it will escape, but will not when happy. The freshwater snails are also extremely docile creatures and do not bother any other aquarium inhabitants.

Just click following links to learn more about Fish-only tank and Aquascape keeping.