Can Nerite Snail Live With Otocinclus Catfish?
Nerite Snail and Otocinclus Catfish are compatible. Temperature overlap 72–78°F. Both peaceful.
Conditions: Minimum 10 gallon tank.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Nerite Snail | Otocinclus Catfish | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–78°F | 72–79°F | 72–78°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 7–8.5 | 6–7.5 | 7–7.5 ✓ |
| Temperament | peaceful | peaceful | Both peaceful ✓ |
| Max Size | 1" | 2" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 5 gal | 10 gal | 10 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore | — |
| Care Level | beginner | intermediate | — |
Tank Requirements for Nerite Snail + Otocinclus Catfish
To keep Nerite Snail and Otocinclus Catfish together, you need at minimum a 10 gallon tank. Otocinclus Catfish should be kept in a school of 6+. Provide adequate filtration, stable temperature with a heater, and hiding spots to reduce stress.
Species Profiles
Nerite Snail
Neritina spp.
Nerite snails are the best algae-eating snails for freshwater aquariums. They come in beautiful patterns (zebra, tiger, horned, olive) and will not reproduce in freshwater — making them the ideal pest-free algae cleanup crew. A single nerite can keep a 5-gallon tank virtually algae-free.
Full care guide →Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus spp.
Otocinclus catfish (otos) are tiny, peaceful algae eaters that are incredibly effective at controlling soft green algae and diatoms in planted tanks. They are the gold standard for planted tank algae control, often preferred over larger plecos. However, they are somewhat delicate and require established, well-maintained aquariums.
Full care guide →