Nerita atramentosa Click to enlarge image
Black Nerite, Nerita atramentosa Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Nerita
    Species
    atramentosa
    Subfamily
    Neritinae
    Family
    Neritidae
    Super Family
    Neritoidea
    Order
    Cycloneritida
    Subclass
    Neritimorpha
    Class
    Gastropoda
    Phylum
    Mollusca
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    2.8 cm
<i>Nerita atramentosa</i>
Black Nerite, Nerita atramentosa rock platform, Narrabeen Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum

This species is hard to miss when visiting the rocky shores of Sydney.

Identification

Black Nerites have a thick black shell and white underside. Their strong shell allows them to withstand large waves.

Habitat

The Black Nerite lives on intertidal rocky shores.

Distribution

The Black Nerite is found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.



Breeding behaviours

Black Nerites form dense clusters in moist areas. Being close together traps moisture between them and also enables sperm transfer.


Nerita atramentosa
Feeding trails of Black Nerites, Nerita atramentosa Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum