TGA Red Racing Snail - Neritina (Vittina) waigiensis - vers. Variations

Neritina waigiensis is also called red racing sn ail, even if some variants have no red color parts at all. This beautiful racing snail originates from the Western Pacific, where it is found in the Philippines and Indonesia. In nature, Neritina waigiensis inhabits freshwater streams that flow into the sea. The shell of the red racing snail grows up to 3 cm long. 

Neritina waigiensis can form very different patterns - from red-gold or brown-red striped to red-yellow-black patterned or just yellow-black patterned everything is possible. In the aquarium the pattern can change abruptly with changing water values - then the shell color develops again completely differently.

The red racing snail has a very thick, extremely resistant snail shell with a tightly closing lid made of horn (operculum). The round shape of the shell contributes its part to the fact that the snail is little vulnerable. Thanks to its anatomy, Neritina waigiensis can be socialized with virtually all fish, crustaceans, crabs, shrimp, and snails that do not specifically view snails as prey.

Neritina waigiensis is a very good algae and growth eater. The aquarium snail reliably frees the aquarium glass as well as the decoration from ugly coat ings and from algae films. It does not eat plants, and it does not eat higher algae such as filamentous algae or brush algae. In good feeding condition, this racing snail is when its foot is about as thick as the shell opening and has a smooth edge.

The aquarium for Neritina waigiensis should be well run in, so that the Red Racing Snail finds sufficient algae cover and biofilms at the beginning. In too fresh aquariums Neritina waigiensis can even starve to death! With time Neritina waigiensis can be accustomed to other food. You can ease the transition for the beautiful Red Racing Snail with NatureHolic's Snail Feed, which forms an algae film-like feeding lawn. Brown leaves, green dried walnut leaves and Hokkaido squash are also eaten with great pleasure.

Red racing snails may leave the aquarium from time to time if, for example, the food supply becomes scarce or the water values are not optimal. To prevent the snails from wandering, apply our NatureHolic Snail Barrier in a strip about 2 cm wide all around the top edge of an open tank or provide a tight aquarium cover.

As a mermaid snail, the Red Racing Snail is not a hermaphrodite, but bisexual, which means that there are male and female animals. However, it is not possible to identify them from the outside. Female Neritina waigiensis lay their whitish to beige egg cocoons on hard substrates or also on other snail shells. Veliger larvae hatch from the racing snail eggs, which in nature must enter the sea to develop. In the aquarium, reproduction of Neritina waigiensis is impossible.

Neritina waigiensis prefers medium to hard water and water temperatures around 20-28 degrees in the aquarium for permanent keeping. In aquariums from 40 cm length up to three Red Racing Snails can be kept permanently, provided they find enough food and algae growth.

Our food recommendation: With the Natureholic Snail Feed Power Paste you create a feeding lawn that is very well accepted by all growth eating snails. Even delicate wild-caught snails such as racing snails or staghorn snails, which are stressed after transport and do not take to conventional food, can be fed up well with it.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.