King Koopa Nerite Snail (Wild Caught) - Neritina Juttingae

King Koopa Nerite Snail (Wild Caught) | The Ultimate Algae-Eating Freshwater Snail

The King Koopa Nerite Snail (Neritina juttingae) is one of the most distinctive and sought-after invertebrates in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Named for its striking spiked shell — which resembles a certain infamous video game villain — this wild-caught snail from Southeast Asia is as hardworking as it is eye-catching. Rare in the trade and instantly recognisable, the King Koopa Nerite is a genuine conversation starter that earns its place in any tank.

Beyond the looks, this snail is an exceptional algae eater — one of the very few species known to consume cyanobacteria as well as all common forms of algae, making it one of the most effective natural cleanup crew members available to freshwater aquarists.

Why Wild Caught?

King Koopa Nerite Snails are not bred in captivity — their fry require brackish or marine water to survive, making commercial breeding essentially impossible. All specimens available in the hobby are wild caught, sourced from their native estuarine and freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia, particularly Borneo and Sumatra. This also means they will not reproduce in a freshwater aquarium, so there is absolutely no risk of population explosions in your tank — a significant advantage over many other freshwater snail species.

King Koopa Nerite Snail Care Guide

Care at a Glance

• Scientific name: Neritina juttingae
• Also known as: King Koopa Snail, Sea Mine Nerite Snail, Durian Nerite Snail
• Adult size: up to 1.2 inches (3 cm)
• Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
• Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
• pH: 7.0–8.5 — alkaline water is strongly preferred; acidic water causes shell erosion
• Hardness: 8–15 dGH — calcium-rich water is essential for shell health
• Nitrate: below 20 ppm
• Lifespan: 3–6 years with good care
• Will not breed in freshwater

King Koopa Nerite Snail Tank Setup

King Koopa Nerites thrive in mature, well-established aquariums with plenty of hard surfaces — rocks, driftwood, tank glass, and décor all provide ideal grazing areas. A tight-fitting lid is recommended, as Nerite snails are known to climb out of uncovered tanks. Gentle to moderate water flow suits them well. Calcium supplementation is recommended if your water is soft or if you are using RO water, to support strong, healthy shell growth and prevent erosion.

A Note on Eggs

Like all Nerite snails, King Koopas may deposit small, white, sesame seed-like eggs on hard surfaces throughout the tank. These eggs will not hatch in freshwater, but they can be difficult to remove and some aquarists find them unsightly on dark décor or equipment.

Feeding Your King Koopa Nerite Snail

Primarily herbivorous grazers. In a well-established tank with healthy algae and biofilm growth, they will largely feed themselves. If algae levels are low, supplement with algae wafers, blanched vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, and spinach, and high-quality sinking foods with high plant or spirulina content. Remove any uneaten vegetables within 24 hours to avoid fouling the water.

King Koopa Nerite Snail Tank Mates

• Small to medium peaceful community fish such as tetras, rasboras, danios, and livebearers
• Corydoras and other peaceful bottom dwellers
• Shrimp — excellent companions
• Other snail species
• Avoid pufferfish, large cichlids, some loaches, and any known snail predators