Wandering Snail care guide
Wandering Snail (Radix balthica) — minimum tank 10 L, temperature 4-26 °C, pH 6.5-8.5.
Overview
Wandering Snail (Radix balthica) is a pond snail of the family Lymnaeidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. Smaller European pond snail with rounded apex. Frequent hitchhiker on plants from temperate zones. Detritus and algae eater.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lymnaeidae
- Genus: Radix
- Scientific name: Radix balthica
- Common synonyms: Peregra, Marsh Snail
Habitat
Pond snails (family Lymnaeidae) are air-breathing freshwater pulmonates with a conical, dextrally coiled shell, common in still and slow waters of the temperate Northern Hemisphere. They are hardy generalist grazers of algae and detritus. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Europe.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 10 L (2.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 1-2 cm
- Temperature: 4-26 °C (39-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.5
- GH: 4-20 °dGH
- KH: 2-14 °dKH
- Lifespan: 1-1 years
Diet
The species is a detritivore, grazing algae, biofilm and decaying matter from surfaces and substrate; in aquaria its diet is supplemented with algae wafers and blanched vegetables when natural growth is scarce.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Coldwater fish. It should be kept away from Pufferfish, Loaches.
Breeding
Reproduction is egg-laying, and aquarium breeding is rated easy.