Lister's river snail (Viviparus contectus) care guide

Group
Snails
Other names
Pond snail (river snail), Paludina listeri, Contectiana contecta, Paludina contecta, Viviparus fasciatus
Family
Viviparidae
Origin
Europe and western Siberia; found wild in Britain, mainly eastern England
Water
freshwater
Care level
beginner

Care

Lister's river snail is a large European freshwater snail with a gill and a horny trapdoor (operculum) that seals the shell. In Britain it is found mainly in eastern England, in clean, slow-flowing rivers, drains and canals with hard water and plenty of water weed. (Its Wikipedia entry questions whether it is truly native to the UK, but it has been part of the British fauna for a long time and is treated here as a British species.) It is listed as Least Concern overall, but is declining or protected in parts of Europe, such as Germany. This is a coldwater snail for unheated aquaria and ponds; it does not need, and should not be kept in, a heated tropical tank. Do not collect wild snails where that is not allowed; buy from captive or pond-bred stock. Our sources have little on its care; the following is general guidance, not from a source. River snails have tall, rounded, banded shells a few centimetres high. They need hard, well-oxygenated, unpolluted water with plants, a soft bottom and room to browse. They are peaceful, do little harm to plants and make good pond and coldwater clean-up snails, eating algae and detritus. They also filter small particles from the water with their gill. Copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viviparuscontectus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

General guidance, not from a source: grazes algae and biofilm, eats detritus and leftover food, and also filters fine suspended particles through its gill. In a pond it usually finds enough food; in a tank add sinking pellets, blanched vegetables or algae wafers.

Breeding

General guidance, not from a source: as the genus name suggests, river snails give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Sexes are separate. The young are born as small, fully formed snails and grow on without special care, so a small group will breed steadily in a pond or tank.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and safe with coldwater fish, pond fish, shrimp and plants. Large fish, loaches and puffers may eat young snails.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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