Nerite Snails

[blinky000]

I've just learnt that a nerite snail is one of the only members of a clean up crew that will touch that wretched green spot algae. They don't eat plants and they don't breed in freshwater. Are there any downsides to these snails?? Also, how many would be a good number for a 14 gal?

And if anyone has any to spare, let me know

 

[Essjay]

Downsides? They poo a lot! But that's true of most algae eating creatures. And if you have a female, they lay sesame seed-like eggs on the decor which are impossible to shift. The eggs don't hatch, they just stay there.
But having said that, I have them in nearly all my tanks. I would have one, maybe 2 in a 14 gall, mainly to keep the amount of poo under control especially if you have sand (it shows!). If you got the black and yellow ones (Clithorn species) they are smaller than the zebras so could have more.
Because these snails don't breed in freshwater (or I should say, the babies need to develop in salt water) they aren't that common. I have found that they do travel very well in the post.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Downsides are they are fussy eaters. For that size tank I'd recommend 1. It may take a while to 'clean up' but it will get there.

I found 2 in a 16 gallon were too much (i.e. ate too much algae so they then had nothing to eat). With 1 it means there is still plenty of food for it to eat

 

[Cazgar]

You're not wrong about the poo.
I have 1 nerite in with a Betta, it's only been in the tank a day & already there's lots of dots of it's poo all over!