What eats nerite snail eggs?
Pufferfish and Loaches will often be seen eating nerite snail eggs inside a fish tank. It’s recommended to make sure there’s enough space in a fish tank before adding these fish into the enclosed ecosystem.
It’s important to note, nerite snail eggs are often unfertilized.
Snails will rarely leave fertilized eggs in the fish tank, which is something you don’t have to worry about. As a result, it simply comes down to the eggs laying around inside the fish tank.
The signs can include:
- White-colored Balls
- Bunched White Balls Near the Bottom of a Tank
- Constant Protection From Nerite Snails
Each situation is going to be unique when it comes to a nerite snail laying eggs. If you are asking, “What eats nerite snail eggs?” it’s best to look at finding fish that try to eat anything that is remotely edible in their eyes.
These are the fish breeds that are going to be more than willing to take a bite.
This guide will help answer the question, “What eats nerite snail eggs?” along with figuring out how to remove nerite snail eggs quickly and safely.
Table of Contents
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Last update on 2023-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tips On How To Remove Nerite Snail Eggs in Fish Tank
Tip #1: Use Egg-Eating Fish
If you want a long-term, hands-off solution then it’s time to start adding the right type of fish to your aquarium.
Egg-eating fish are a wonderful answer to the question, “What eats nerite snail eggs?” because they will take care of the problem naturally. It’s going to allow you an opportunity to sit back and watch as the unfertilized snail eggs are consumed one by one.
Which fish should you add to eat nerite snail eggs?
These can include:
- Pufferfish
- Loaches
- Mollies
These are egg-eating fish that are known to take a liking to nerite snail eggs. On the other hand, it is not a good idea to add betta fish because they are not going to venture towards the snail eggs as often as the ones listed above.
Take your time and make sure the fish tank isn’t compromised by the changes you are making.
Whether it is a pufferfish or a molly, you want to make sure the change is as smooth as possible. This is how you are going to keep the fish tank in good shape year-round.

Tip #2: Cut Their Food Source
In general, you are going to want to cut their food source.
This is a concern when you create conditions that are going to cause aggressive breeding. It’s not always common, but if you are dealing with a situation where you want to regulate how many nerite snail are in the fish tank, it’s time to look at their food source.
This is an easy way to make sure they are not set up in breeding-friendly conditions.
A lot of fish tank owners start adding mini algae food into the fish tank for nerite snails.
This food is good for them and high in nutrients, but it also leads to egg production. If you are serious about eradicating these eggs and making sure the nerite snail doesn’t breed then it’s time to cut the food source.
Tip #3: Remove Some of the Nerite Snails
If you are asking, “What eats nerite snail eggs?” it’s time to look at the number of nerite snails in your fish tank.
If you have more nerite snails, you are going to have more eggs. This is a common issue with smaller fish tanks that start to see a sudden increase in eggs.
It’s best to remove those nerite snails as soon as you can.
If you leave the nerite snails in your fish tank, they are going to continue to lay eggs.
This will eventually get to the point where you are going to have a problem on your hands! To nip this issue in the bud, look to remove some of the snails.
This will create balance and harmony in the fish tank.

Tip #4: Scoop Out the Eggs Immediately
If you are asking, “What eats nerite snail eggs?” you have to think about removing them first.
Why wait for another fish to eat the eggs? This is a hit and miss strategy!
Simply take a fish tank scoop and remove the nerite snail eggs on your own. It will be faster, simpler, and cleaner without having to rely on your fish.
Final Thoughts
“What eats nerite snail eggs?”
Whether it is pufferfish or mollies, you can rely on these fish to eat nerite snail eggs. However, it’s never a good idea to leave the job to the fish.
They may not want to eat the nerite snail eggs at times, which can worsen your issue!
Keep it simple and either remove some of the nerite snails and/or scoop out the eggs to dispose of them.
Here are a few articles to look into when it comes to snails and fish tanks – dealing with mosquito larvae in a fish tank, benefits of snails in a fish tank, tips for removing bubbles in a fish tank, and how to help a nerite snail that’s immobile.