Bladder Snail (Physa acuta) Care Guide
A tiny, ubiquitous freshwater snail often introduced accidentally on plants. An efficient scavenger that consumes decaying matter, uneaten food, and soft algae.
Overview
Physa acuta is a species in the family Physidae. A tiny, ubiquitous freshwater snail often introduced accidentally on plants. An efficient scavenger that consumes decaying matter, uneaten food, and soft algae. Its thin, translucent shell spirals to the left, distinguishing it from most other snails.
Taxonomy
- Family: Physidae
- Genus: Physa
- Scientific name: Physa acuta
- Other names: Acute Bladder Snail, Tadpole Snail
- Origin: Cosmopolitan
Habitat
Physa acuta, a small, fast-breeding bladder snail now cosmopolitan in distribution after spreading from the Americas. It tolerates a very wide range of conditions, grazes algae and biofilm, and often arrives unintentionally on plants.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 5 L
- Temperature: 15-30 °C
- pH: 6-8.5
- GH: 4-20 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Adult size: 0.5-1.5 cm
- Lifespan: 0.5-1 year
- Difficulty: beginner
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: self-feeding. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Position in tank: bottom
- Compatible tank mates: Any Peaceful Fish, Shrimp
- Avoid with: Assassin Snail, Clown Loach, Puffer Fish
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: egg-layer
- Breeding difficulty: beginner