Viviparus viviparus, which is native to Europe, is an ideal snail for the garden pond or not too warm aquariums, likes to eat algae and is said to not even spare brush algae.
River snails are hardy and very well suited for keeping in cooler aquariums or garden ponds.
They make themselves useful as health police, eating dead plant matter and dead fish before they can pollute the water. Algae are also high on the menu of the Common River Snail.
The female Common River Snails give birth to young snails about 4 mm in size at regular intervals.
Temperature |
4 - 25 °C |
pH value |
6.2 - 8.0 |
General hardness (GH) |
2 - 24 °dH |
Aquarium size |
Aquariums from 54 liters, ponds from 200 liters (min. 80cm deep) |
Recommended quantity |
From 3 individuals; in ponds about 3 - 4 snails/m² |
Scientific name |
Viviparus viviparus |
Common name |
Common River Snail |
Origin |
Europe |
Size |
Approx. 4.5 cm |
Shipping size |
Approx. 2 - 3.5 cm |
Life expectancy |
About 4 years |
Feeding |
Omnivor; algae, dead plant parts, commercial fish and snail food |
Socialization |
Possible with most aquarium and pond animals that don't prey on them |
Difficulty |
Easy |
Colouring |
Yellow-ish base with dark brown stripes |