Darwin Nerite Snail

Neritina violacea

General information: An attracive local native NT Nerite Snail, found in brackish and freshwaters near the coast. Lives on algae and periphiton on decaying wood and leaves. Used in the planted aquarium to remove hard algae. It has an unusual life history where eggs hatch and larvae enter the estuary plankton. When they change to adult form they drop out of the water column and crawl back up the estuary to the fresh water. They are very difficult to breed in captivity. However there are some accounts of this being achieved.

Distribution : found in brackish and freshwaters near the tidal areas of Northern Australia and Asia.

Selling details : Sold as individuals

Reference: Australian Faunal Directory - http://www.marine.csiro.au/caab/caabsearch-frames.htm