[CT]

Aquamaniacs Freshwater Invertebrate Profile -- Pond Snail

Family: Physidae
Latin: Physa acuta
Distribution: Worldwide
Difficulty: Easy
Diet: Omnivore
Hardness/pH: Moderate to hard/pH 7.0-8.0
Tank minimum: 1 gallon
Lifespan: Up to 1 year
Length: To .75"
Temperature: 65-82°F (18-28°C)
Breeding: Easy, asexually & sexually
References: The freshwater gastropods of South Carolina, Mini-interview with Dr. Snail

Notes: Pond snails mature rapidly (6-8 weeks), multiply readily (laying 50 – 100 eggs weekly after maturity for up to a year) and are easily cultured. For these reasons, pond snails have been thoroughly studied and are well known, to the point of being referred to as the "fruit fly of malacology" in certain scientific circles. They prefer to procreate sexually and can store allosperm for very long periods of time. In the absence of a mate, they will readily self-fertilize.