Description: A slightly globose, short-conical operculate shell with deep sutures and large body whorl found commonly in a variety of freshwaters. 8-13 mm.

World Distribution: Found across Europe from the Mediterranean to the Arctic fringes and east to eastern Siberia. Distribution type: Eureosiberian Wide Temperate (64).

Irish Distribution: Widespread and generally common in the central plain of Ireland but decreasing strongly towards the north-west and south-west.

Ecology:

• Very tolerant of enrichment and often found in eutrophic lakes and rivers
• Prefers macrophyte-rich waters with a muddy bottom
• Tolerant of soft water in larger water bodies but not found in acidic (peaty) habitats

Key Identification Features:

• Medium-sized operculate shell with large body whorl forming a short cone shape
• Sutures deep
• Aperture a broad oval coming to a point at its upper end, easily seen in the shape of the operculum

Red list status:

• Least concern (lc).

Distribution Map from NBN: Bithynia tentaculata at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Bithynia tentaculata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Bithynia tentaculata | Classification: Gastropoda, Littorinimorpha, Bithyniidae, Bithynia

Thumbnails for genus Bithynia