Physa sp.
| Common Names: | Pond Snail Pest Snail |
| Salinity: | Freshwater |
| Distribution: | Native to North America, Europe, and Asia, depending on the species. Introduced worldwide. |
| Care: | Provide a tank of at least two gallons. Care is extremely easy, all that is needed is water and food. Rocks, plants, and driftwood are appreciated as hiding places but are not necessary. Do not keep with invertebrate-eating fish such as puffers, large cichlids, and loaches. Acidic water will dissolve and damage the Pond Snail's shell, so this species is best kept in moderately hard, alkaline water. Feeding foods with added calcium will help the snails have stronger, healthier shells, but this is not necessary. |
| Feeding: | Like most aquarium snails, the Pond Snail is a scavenger and generally does not need to be fed. In most aquariums, there is enough algae and leftover food to sustain a healthy population of Pond Snails. This snail usually leaves aquarium plants alone, but some of the softer, more fragile species may receive some damage by the snails if food is scarce. The Pond Snail is not predatory and is unable to catch live fish. It will, however, feed upon unprotected fish eggs and dead fish if given the chance. Feeding specially-formulated snail foods with added calcium is not necessary, unless breeding large amounts of Pond Snails is desired (generally as food for invertebrate-eating fish). |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 1.2cm (0.5") Female: 1.2cm (0.5") |
| Comments: | The Pond Snail is perhaps the most common gastropod found in freshwater aquariums, usually spreading to different tanks through the addition of live aquarium plants. It is a harmless, even beneficial aquarium inhabitant. An overabundance of Pond Snails in an aquarium generally signifies that the tank is being overfed. This species will maintain a relatively low, stable population in a properly-fed aquarium. These snails are hermaphroditic, meaning any individual can and will produce eggs. They reportedly do not need to mate in order to reproduce. Their eggs are located in a gelatinous mass that is usually laid on plants. Their ability to reproduce extremely quickly in overfed aquaria has earned them the common name "Pest Snail". |
| Image Credit: | Natalie |
| Submitted By: | Natalie |
| Contributors: | Natalie |
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