Can African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail Live Together?

Not Recommended

African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail are not recommended as tank mates due to piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates.. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

African Lungfish

Protopterus annectens

Olive Nerite Snail

Neritina reclivata

🐠Family Group
African Lungfish
Oddballs
Olive Nerite Snail
Invertebrates
Temperament
African Lungfish
Highly Aggressive (10/10)
Olive Nerite Snail
Peaceful (0/10)
Temperature
βœ“ Compatible
African Lungfish
24–30Β°C
Olive Nerite Snail
20–28Β°C
pH Range
βœ“ Compatible
African Lungfish
6–8
Olive Nerite Snail
7–8.5
Hardness (dGH)
βœ“ Compatible
African Lungfish
5–20
Olive Nerite Snail
5–20
Water Type
βœ“ Compatible
African Lungfish
Freshwater Only
Olive Nerite Snail
Brackish Tolerant
Flow Preference
βœ“ Compatible
African Lungfish
Low
Olive Nerite Snail
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 680 L
African Lungfish
680 L
Olive Nerite Snail
19 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 3 zones
African Lungfish
BottomMiddleTop
Olive Nerite Snail
BottomMiddleTop
🏷️Behavior Tags
African Lungfish
Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish)Generally AggressiveAggressive to same species/look-alikesJumper (Lid Required)Digger (Disturbs Substrate)Plant DestroyerTerritorial (Defends specific area)
Olive Nerite Snail
Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk)Jumper (Lid Required)Hyperactive / Fast Swimmer
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

African Lungfish
Olive Nerite Snail
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

African Lungfish is a highly aggressive species (10/10), while Olive Nerite Snail is peaceful (0/10). This notable difference means African Lungfish may occasionally assert dominance over Olive Nerite Snail.

Large aggression gap (10 points) between African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail both frequent the Bottom (Substrate), Middle (Open Water), and Top (Surface) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is a critical concern: the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) trait of the other β€” piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

Worth noting: African Lungfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24Β°C and 28Β°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0Β°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7 and 8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–20 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail together, plan for an aquarium of at least 680 litres with a minimum length of 180 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Established Algae (Otocinclus). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with low (still water) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Suitable Tank Sizes

Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail live together?

No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities β€” such as critical behavioural conflicts β€” make cohabitation unsafe.

What size tank do African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail need?

A minimum of 680 litres (tank length at least 180 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail together?

Keep the aquarium between 24Β°C and 28Β°C. A target of around 26.0Β°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are African Lungfish or Olive Nerite Snail aggressive?

African Lungfish is highly aggressive (10/10) and Olive Nerite Snail is peaceful (0/10). The gap in aggression levels means the calmer fish may experience stress from the more assertive one.

What pH do African Lungfish and Olive Nerite Snail need?

Both species overlap in the 7–8 pH range. Consistency is key β€” avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.

How do I manage African Lungfish's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives African Lungfish space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding dΓ©cor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.


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