Between 1.5 - 3.5 cm
The great pond snail the UKs largest pond snail species and can reach a length of 6 cm although the usual size is closer to 4 cm. Their large size makes them suitable to keep with larger fish. They are excellent scavengers and will eat detritus, fish waste, dead plants, leftover fish food, dead fish, algae and blankett weed. They also eat hydra and are great for controlling infestations of them. Being a native species the great pond snails can survive the harshest UK winters but can also be kept in coldwater and tropical aquariums. It makes a superior cleaner than most snails found in pet shops like rabbit snails or nerites, and contrary to popular belief in the aquarium hobby ,they rarely eat live plants, only the brown parts, or graze algae from the surface of the leaves. Its also easy to keep their population down if your worried there are to many in the tank or pond as they're quite large and easily removed. Snails make up an essential part of a pond or aquarium ecosystem and would make an excellent addition to a wildlife pond.
Great pond snails (Lymnaea stagnalis)
The great pond snail is very hardy and can survive in a wide range of conditions. It is very easy to keep, although like most aquatic snails the great pond snails can be sensitive to acidic water (low ph). They can easily survive from scavenging and don't need any additional food especially if being kept in an outdoor pond, but if you want to put extra food in for them they can be fed algae wafers, bloodworm pellets and shrimp pellets or fishfood.
