Origin
Native to Europe and northern Asia, particularly widespread across lakes, ponds, and marshes in temperate climates. Lymnaea stagnalis is common in slow-moving, plant-rich freshwater systems and has been introduced to North America, where it's considered naturalized in some regions.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Recognized by its tall, tapering shell with 5–6 visible whorls and a delicate horn-like spire. Shell coloration ranges from pale amber to creamy brown. Unlike burrowing species, it often glides just below the surface, stretching its siphon for air. Its gentle, floating behavior adds a graceful aesthetic to the mid-to-top water column.

Purpose
Acts as a passive scavenger, feeding on algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter. Contributes to detritus control in cooler tanks and helps aerate surface zones. May consume soft or dying plant leaves, aiding nutrient recycling.

Importance
Ideal for temperate or unheated tanks, outdoor tubs, and coldwater biotopes. Less likely to overpopulate than pest snails and does not burrow, making it suitable for aquariums with rooted plants or visible substrate layouts.

Included Resources
No special setup required. Prefers stable, well-oxygenated water with soft to moderate hardness and some surface vegetation or tank rim access for air-breathing. Avoid with copper-based meds and aggressive tankmates.

Best Use Cases
Great for coldwater tanks (e.g. with White Cloud Mountain Minnows or Hillstream Loaches), wildlife ponds, or educational setups. Also used in school tanks for observing basic aquatic biology and invertebrate locomotion.

Conservation Context
Though widespread, habitat loss and pollution in certain parts of Europe have impacted some wild populations. Its sensitivity to contaminants makes it a useful bioindicator species in ecological monitoring.

Compatible Species
Peaceful with all non-predatory fish and inverts. Compatible with shrimp, snails, danios, minnows, Corydoras, and small goldfish (if not overly aggressive). Avoid puffers, loaches, or other snail-eaters. May nibble soft-leaved plants if underfed.

Region (A)
• Latitude: 51.5° N
• Longitude: 0.1° E
→ Southeastern UK (native pond habitat)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 52.4° N
• Longitude: 16.9° E
→ Western Poland (common European distribution)