Valvata piscinalis, common name the European stream valvata or European valve snail, is a species of minute freshwater snail with gills and an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Valvatidae, the valve snails. It is also known as Cincinna piscinalis.
Photo of a shell of Valvata piscinalis.
Drawing: two views of a shell of Valvata piscinalis.
Freshwater snails are gastropod mollusks that live in fresh water. There are many different families. They are found throughout the world in various habitats, ranging from ephemeral pools to the largest lakes, and from small seeps and springs to major rivers. The great majority of freshwater gastropods have a shell, with very few exceptions. Some groups of snails that live in freshwater respire using gills, whereas other groups need to reach the surface to breathe air. In addition, some are amphibious and have both gills and a lung. Most feed on algae, but many are detritivores and some are filter feeders.
Bithynia tentaculata, a small freshwater gastropod in the family Bithyniidae
Pomacea insularum, an apple snail
Planorbella trivolvis, an air-breathing ramshorn snail
Family Neritidae, Neritina natalensis