Native to the Philippines, Red Racer Nerite Snails (Vittina waigiensis) are extraordinarily beautiful freshwater snails and one of the rarest snail species in the aquarium world. Their shells vary in appearance and feature striking patterns. These prime aquarium snails are known as the best eating snails in the hobby. They reduce the need for an aquarium UV sterilizer because they consume uneaten fish food, plus they wipe off glass or acrylic aquarium walls, plants, aquarium driftwood, and aquarium decor. They are peaceful and safe to keep with any nonaggressive aquarium animals (including dwarf and large shrimp) and fish tank plants. These colorful snails require salt water to reproduce and will not overpopulate your home aquarium like other freshwater snails. With a life expectancy of up to 4 years, they are relatively long-lived compared to most other snails. They are perfectly suitable for a planted aquarium. Some Nerite Snails are initially finicky about eating dry fish pellets, but typically enjoy spirulina, tablets, and other plant-based foods. Nerite Snail is sometimes misspelled as Narite Snail. While this snail can live in a wide variety of pH levels, it will live for much longer in alkaline water of over 7.0 pH. Acidic water increases susceptibility to shell erosion; we recommend a calcium supplement (especially when using reverse osmosis, aka R/O water) for maintaining the quality of this snail's magnificent shell, such as cuttlebone. Although these snails are fantastic at clearing, a fish tank filter system (e.g. Terra filter, UV aquarium filter, etc.) is still required.CARE GUIDELINES:- Temperature: 71.6° - 87.8° F (22° - 28° C) - pH: 6.5 - 8.0 - KH: 2 - 12 dKH - Minimum tank size: 3 gallons per snail - Average adult size: 1.2" (3 cm) - Average purchase size: ½ - 1" (1.3 - 2.5 cm)