Naughty Nerites

MrsShrimp · Apr 12, 2026

Hi,
One of my naughty nerites has decided to start laying eggs on the glass. I have tried a special tank scrubbing sponge but it only removes the white eggs and leaves dots where the eggs were laid. See photo. Please can anyone advise on how to remove these dots? It's stopping me from being able to enter my tank in TOTM

Thanks

Aiken Drum · Apr 12, 2026

I use a dental scalpel to remove nerite snail eggs, but its easier to just learn to live with them.

MrsShrimp · Apr 12, 2026

Ok thanks. I guess it might not affect my chances of winning a TOTM comp then as it's just all part of what makes it a great tank!

Essjay · Apr 12, 2026

I use one of those razor blades used for scraping paint off glass while decorating. They get rid of almost everything.

https://www.diy.com/departments/dekton-razor-single-edge-blade-set-10-pc/5056486837772_BQ.prd

MrsShrimp · Apr 13, 2026

Essjay said:
I use one of those razor blades used for scraping paint off glass while decorating. They get rid of almost everything.

https://www.diy.com/departments/dekton-razor-single-edge-blade-set-10-pc/5056486837772_BQ.prd

That's great! Thanks for the advice and link

EmmaS · May 5, 2026

Its an absolute nightmare removing it off wood and rocks. For this reason I will not own them again. Shame as they are cool looking and excellent workers. If I see male ones I would buy them though.

MattW · May 5, 2026

I have only ever had a single nertite that was male, thankfully. A friend had 4 at one point. First time I saw the tank, I thought the bogwood was a giant galaxy pleco!

Essjay · May 6, 2026

I got used to my decor being covered in nerite eggs. These days the only 'hard' decor is wood in both tanks and two small rocks in the main tank. The wood pieces have epiphytic plants on them so there's not much wood visible any more. I did have a nerite once which laid eggs on plant leaves which did look strange.

MrsShrimp · May 7, 2026

EmmaS said:
Its an absolute nightmare removing it off wood and rocks. For this reason I will not own them again. Shame as they are cool looking and excellent workers. If I see male ones I would buy them though.

Yes I agree. They are cool looking especially the zebra striped ones but they're a pain in the arse with their egg laying and you can't get them off! I've removed the eggs from the tank glass but it leaves the glue substance which I'm not risking using a razor to remove

Boundava · May 7, 2026

So, I am okay with the eggs. What I hate the most is there wandering ways. I cannot tell you how many times I have broken down a freshwater tank and found 6 to a-bizillion nerite shells on the floor behind a tank.

When I was breaking down the 13 gallon saltwater I had a nerite stuck to the lip of the HOB filter. Pulled her/him off and within a minute it zipped from one side of the bottom of the tank, up the side and onto the lid, traveling upside-down to get right back to the filter again

Dunno how mush $$$ I have wasted on wandering snails

MrsShrimp · May 8, 2026

Boundava said:
So, I am okay with the eggs. What I hate the most is there wandering ways. I cannot tell you how many times I have broken down a freshwater tank and found 6 to a-bizillion nerite shells on the floor behind a tank.

When I was breaking down the 13 gallon saltwater I had a nerite stuck to the lip of the HOB filter. Pulled her/him off and within a minute it zipped from one side of the bottom of the tank, up the side and onto the lid, traveling upside-down to get right back to the filter again

Dunno how mush $$$ I have wasted on wandering snails

Know what you mean! Mine mostly tend to stay in the tank but once or twice I've found one on the floor. I put them back in and they've been ok. Amazed they can live out of water that long. There's alwaya one on the lip of the tank. They search for calcium deposits there.
Once I found one of my bamboo shrimp on the floor hidden in a corner. It was completely solid. It must have been there ages. I was very sad. I always wondered where it went. The remaining shrimp stay in the tank.

Boundava · May 9, 2026

Just finished moving the 38 gallon (saltwater) and found a nerite on the floor for who knows how long. Great for cleaning but they need to stop their wandering salesman act.

MrsShrimp · May 10, 2026

Boundava said:
Just finished moving the 38 gallon (saltwater) and found a nerite on the floor for who knows how long. Great for cleaning but they need to stop their wandering salesman act.

Oh no, not another one! I'm worried one of my wood shrimp has escaped again too. I can see 2 but there should be 3. They are masters at hiding though but it's only a 10g so there's not many places to hide!

JCinPA · May 13, 2026

Well, I emailed Marineland and found they still make the 55 gallon. Stores may be electing not to carry it, but I should be able to scare one up. Honestly, Marineland is probably the most convenient to obtain and most economical tank that I think is still pretty good quality. Here is their response.

=====

HI John,

Thank you for reaching out to us today about our tanks. No, the 55 gallon is not discontinued and still very much available through local fish stores.

Barbara Link

Consumer Relations

Spectrum Brands - Global Pet Division