Common Bladder Snail
Physa fontinalis
This record describes Physa fontinalis (species). Recorded family: Physidae. Recorded order: Hygrophila.
Identification and Appearance
Height: 7 to 12 mm. Breadth: 4 to 7 mm. Sinistral (coils to the left so the mouth is on the left). The shell is thin and fragile, glossy and transparent, and a pale horn colour. It is more or less oval in outline, and is formed of 4 - 5 swollen whorls, the last of which forms more than three-quarters of the shell height. The spire is short, with a blunt apex. The aperture is wide and oval, and the mouth edge is very thin and brittle. It is found in streams, rivers, ditches, canals, ponds and lakes, throughout most of the British Isles, usually on leaves of water weeds or amongst the stems.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Order
- Hygrophila
- Family
- Physidae
- Genus
- Physa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It is found in streams, rivers, ditches, canals, ponds and lakes, throughout most of the British Isles, usually on leaves of water weeds or amongst the stems.
Seasonal Activity
All year round
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and common in Britain.
About Hygrophila: the wider group
Order-level background for Hygrophila, the group containing Physa fontinalis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
This is a smaller arthropod order with specialized ecological roles. Arthropods are the most diverse animal phylum, comprising over 80% of all known animal species with approximately 1.2 million described species globally.
Ecological role of the group
Members of this order contribute to broader arthropod ecosystem functions including decomposition, predation, and serving as food sources for vertebrates. Arthropod biodiversity is essential for ecosystem resilience.
Economic and practical significance of the group
While this order has limited direct economic impact, arthropods collectively provide ecosystem services worth trillions of dollars annually through pollination, decomposition, pest control, and nutrient cycling.
Recorded sources for this group: General entomology and arthropod research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Bladder Snail (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Bladder Snail
What is Common Bladder Snail?
Common Bladder Snail (Physa fontinalis) is a species in the family Physidae, within the order Hygrophila.
Where is Common Bladder Snail found?
Habitat: It is found in streams, rivers, ditches, canals, ponds and lakes, throughout most of the British Isles, usually on leaves of water weeds or amongst the stems.
When is Common Bladder Snail active?
Common Bladder Snail: seasonal activity - All year round.