Physa acuta
Almost always arrives as a hitchhiker on new plants. Often demonised but actually a useful clean-up crew member — eats fish-food leftovers, dead leaves, and biofilm. Population self-regulates with food supply; an outbreak is a feeding-too-much signal, not a snail problem.
Pond Snail (Physa acuta) is an aquarium snail in family Physidae, native to North America (introduced worldwide). Adults reach 0.5–1.5 cm; minimum tank 10 L. Target 10–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.5, 3–25 dGH, 2–15 dKH. Shell calcium demand: medium. Diet: omnivore / scavenger, Eats biofilm, decaying plants, fish food leftovers, fallen fruit, and dead snails. Will graze soft tender plant tissue if hungry. Breeding: Hermaphroditic and prolific. Lays gelatinous egg clutches on glass and leaves. Population scales with food availability. Algae-eating rating: 3/5. Plant-safe: Mostly yes (will nibble very soft tissue). Tank mates: Almost any peaceful community. Vulnerable to assassin snails, loaches, and puffers.
Care at a glance
Almost always arrives as a hitchhiker on new plants. Often demonised but actually a useful clean-up crew member — eats fish-food leftovers, dead leaves, and biofilm. Population self-regulates with food supply; an outbreak is a feeding-too-much signal, not a snail problem.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete planted-aquarium guide.
The parameters that decide whether pond snail fits in your tank.
Physidae
Omnivore / scavenger
Eats biofilm, decaying plants, fish food leftovers, fallen fruit, and dead snails. Will graze soft tender plant tissue if hungry.
Hermaphroditic and prolific. Lays gelatinous egg clutches on glass and leaves. Population scales with food availability.
1–2 yrs
Medium
Mostly yes (will nibble very soft tissue)
North America (introduced worldwide)
North America (introduced worldwide)
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Minimum tank: 10 L. Pond Snail (Physa acuta) reach 0.5–1.5 cm as adults.
Target 10–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.5, 3–25 dGH, and 2–15 dKH. Shell calcium demand is medium, supplement with cuttlebone or a mineral stone if your water is soft.
Plant safety: Mostly yes (will nibble very soft tissue). Pond Snail are omnivore / scavenger, Eats biofilm, decaying plants, fish food leftovers, fallen fruit, and dead snails. Will graze soft tender plant tissue if hungry.
Tank mates: Almost any peaceful community. Vulnerable to assassin snails, loaches, and puffers.
Algae-eating rating: 3/5. Eats biofilm, decaying plants, fish food leftovers, fallen fruit, and dead snails. Will graze soft tender plant tissue if hungry.
Hermaphroditic and prolific. Lays gelatinous egg clutches on glass and leaves. Population scales with food availability.
Typical lifespan: 1–2 years in a stable, well-maintained tank.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this snail with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
