Lymnaea stagnalis

About This Species

Basic Description

The Great Pond Snail is an excellent choice for those new to aquariums due to its hardy nature. This adaptable omnivore isn't a picky eater, happily consuming algae, leftover fish food, and vegetables. Found across the Northern Hemisphere, it's a slow-moving creature that is easy to care for and breeds readily in a well-maintained freshwater environment.

Detailed Description

Lymnaea stagnalis is a moderately active snail that explores all levels of an aquarium. It plays a significant role in the tank's ecosystem by consuming biofilm, cleaning algae, and processing detritus, though it may also eat live plants. It thrives in low-flow freshwater with neutral to alkaline pH and moderately hard water. While a useful cleaner, be mindful that it produces a medium amount of waste, contributing a bioload factor of 3.0, and requires daily feeding to stay healthy.

Scientific Description

Belonging to the family Lymnaeidae, Lymnaea stagnalis is a Hygrophila gastropod mollusc. It exhibits a wide tolerance for environmental conditions, preferring a moderate temperature range and a pH from neutral to alkaline. This species requires moderately hard to hard water conditions. Biologically, it has a low metabolism and oxygen consumption rate, contributing to a medium waste output. This omnivorous invertebrate has a typical three-year lifespan and is easily bred in captivity under suitable conditions.