River snail (Viviparus viviparus) care guide

Group
Snails
Other names
Common river snail, Lister's river snail, Helix vivipara, Viviparus fluviorum
Family
Viviparidae
Origin
Native to Britain; Europe, in slow lowland rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs with base-rich water
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
3.5 cm
Temperature
4–22°C
pH
7–8.5
Hardness
10–20 dGH, 5–10 dKH
Minimum tank
60 litres
Care level
beginner

Care

The river snail is a large native snail of slow lowland rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs, where it can gather in thousands on branches and underwater objects. The shell is 2.5–3.5 cm high, dark greenish-brown or greyish-yellow with three reddish-brown spiral bands and a blunt tip, and it closes with a round operculum that lets the snail survive drying out for months. Females are slightly larger than males. Native species: it is native to Britain, so it needs a coldwater (unheated) tank or a pond and does not want tropical temperatures. Do not collect it from the wild where that is not allowed, and buy from captive or legally sourced stock. Tank set-up and water: an unheated tank of 60 litres or more, or a garden pond, with a soft substrate. It prefers hard, calcium-rich water and needs plenty of oxygen, so use good filtration or aeration and avoid stagnant, overheated water. Role: very useful in ponds and coldwater tanks. It filter-feeds on plankton and fine suspended debris drawn in through a siphon, and also grazes filamentous algae, microalgae, cyanobacteria and waste, helping to clear the water. It does not eat healthy plants. Health note: like many wild snails it can carry trematode parasites whose life cycles end in birds and mammals, so wash your hands after handling and buy from clean stock. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, check the label of any treatment or fertiliser, and use a separate hospital tank for fish. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viviparusviviparus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Filter feeds on plankton and organic particles, and grazes algae (including filamentous algae and cyanobacteria) and detritus. In a tank, offer sinking pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables and fine foods such as powdered spirulina; established ponds usually provide enough.

Breeding

Sexes are separate, unlike most snails; the male's right tentacle is shorter with a rounded tip and serves as the penis. It is live-bearing (ovoviviparous): the female carries up to about 30 eggs and embryos inside her and gives birth to young about 7 mm long that already have the banded shell. Snails mature at about two years and 2 cm, and the female dies after producing all her young. Breeds readily in ponds.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and safe with coldwater fish, shrimp and plants. Eaten by some fish and water beetles and bugs. Not for tropical tanks.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.