Bladder Snail care guide
Bladder Snail (Physa acuta) — minimum tank 5 L, temperature 15-30 °C, pH 6-9.
Overview
The Bladder Snail (Physa acuta) is a small left-coiled (sinistral) pulmonate snail with a thin, glossy shell. Native to Europe, the species is now cosmopolitan and a common hitchhiker on aquarium plants. It is regarded both as a nuisance and as a useful detritus and biofilm cleaner when populations are controlled.
Taxonomy
- Family: Physidae
- Genus: Physa
- Scientific name: Physa acuta
- Common synonyms: Pest Snail, Tadpole Snail, European Physa
Habitat
Occurs in lakes, rivers, canals and even temporary pools across a wide range of climates. The species tolerates an exceptionally broad range of pH, hardness and temperature, including warm and slightly polluted waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 5 L (1.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 0.5-1.5 cm
- Temperature: 15-30 °C (59-86 °F)
- pH: 6-9
- GH: 2-25 °dGH
- KH: 1-16 °dKH
- Lifespan: 1-1 years
Diet
A detritivore and biofilm grazer. Physa acuta consumes uneaten fish food, biofilm, soft algae and decaying organic matter. It does not damage healthy live plants.
Compatibility
Peaceful and harmless to fish, shrimp and adult snails. Often used as a live food by puffers and loaches. Population control is mainly achieved by limiting food availability rather than by predators.
Breeding
Hermaphroditic egg-layer with very rapid reproduction. Transparent gelatinous clutches are attached to plants, glass and hardscape. Numbers can boom quickly in nutrient-rich tanks; overfeeding is the most common cause.