Physella acuta
Bladder snail
A small freshwater snail that moves through wet plant edges, glass, and shoreline surfaces, grazing soft films and decaying plant material as it goes.
- Common Name
- Bladder snail
- Scientific Name
- Physella acuta
- Realm
- Freshwater
- Biome
- Lakeshore
- Current Estimated Population
- Several individuals have been seen in the Lakeshore, including a group of eight among thick freshwater plants. The long-term population size is still being watched.
- Population Status
- Uncertain
- Date Last Observed
- May 26, 2026
Section Notes
Bladder snails are showing up again along the wet plant edges of the Lakeshore. Recent sightings include multiple individuals, mating behavior, and a group gathered among thick freshwater plants. Eggs, young snails, and long-term population growth are still unresolved.
- Trophic Level
- Detritivore
- Feeding Niche / Method
- Detritivore and algae grazer
- Dietary Inputs
- Detritus, biofilm, algae, microbes, and decaying plant material
Section Notes
Bladder snails graze soft films, algae, microbes, and decaying plant matter from wet surfaces. In the Lakeshore, they appear to use thick plant growth as both feeding surface and shelter.
?
Classification Pending
PendingThis section will expand as more information is documented for this species.
- System Reproduction Status
- Mating has been observed, but eggs and young snails have not yet been confirmed.
- Ecological Role
- Surface grazer and detritus recycler
- Microhabitat Preference
- Bladder snails are most often seen along wet plant surfaces, glass, and shoreline edges. In the Lakeshore, they gather among thick freshwater plants where soft films and decaying plant material collect.
Section Notes
These small snails work over the soft films and decaying material that collect on wet plants and shoreline surfaces. Their presence among thick Lakeshore plants suggests they may be part of the shoreline cleanup crew, while their larger effect on the system is still being learned.
Biomes This Species Lives In
Follow this species across the habitats where it currently appears in the miniBIOTA biosphere.
March 20, 2026
Observation
Video
Bladder Snail Mating Shows the Cost of Eggs
Rising temperature and an algae bloom triggered Bladder snail mating after a long period of low population pressure from Seminole Rams-horn competition. The observation highlights the energetic imbalance between cheap sperm production and costly egg production, visible in the recipient trying to dislodge the other snail during transfer.
Related Subjects
Seminole Ramshorn Snail
Context
Freshwater Lake
Context
May 22, 2025
Change
Video
Bladder Snails Rebuild a Lake Food-Web Link
Bladder snails began recovering in the Freshwater Lake after earlier losses to squareback marsh crab predation. Their soft shells and algae-grazing behavior make them an important pathway for turning surface film and algae into prey that crayfish can use.
Related Subjects
Freshwater Lake
Context
Freshwater Lake context for bladder snail recovery.
Slough Crayfish
Context
Slough Crayfish remains food-web consumer context, not primary subject.
Filamentous macroalgae
Context
Filamentous macroalgae remains food source context.
April 8, 2025
Observation
Biosphere Project Now Has Waves and Tides
This chronicle is connected here as related context. Open the primary chronicle for the full story.
Context
Species: Filamentous macroalgae
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March 5, 2025
Observation
Video
Bladder Snails Use Ludwigia Habitat to Hold Out
Bladder snails were reintroduced after earlier losses to crayfish and squareback marsh crab predation. Ludwigia growth created surface-level shelter where a few snails could stay out of reach, giving the population a better chance to persist and eventually feed energy back to the crayfish.
Related Subjects
Slough Crayfish
Context
Crayfish remains context predator/prey pressure, not primary subject.
Freshwater Lake
Context
Corrected from Marine Shore; transcript centers lake/freshwater habitat.
Mexican Primrose Willow
Context
March 4, 2025
Observation
Fierce Competition in the Biosphere Project
This chronicle is connected here as related context. Open the primary chronicle for the full story.
Context
Biome: Freshwater Lake
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