Freshwater Limpet

Natural Habitat

Stagnant or slow-moving freshwater bodies, including ponds, lakes, and home aquariums, often found attached to glass, rocks, or plants.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they primarily consume algae, biofilms, and decaying organic matter (detritus).

Behavior Patterns

Slow-moving gastropods that spend their entire lives attached to surfaces. They breathe air using a modified mantle cavity (lung) and are hermaphroditic, capable of rapid reproduction in nutrient-rich environments.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans and fish. In aquariums, they act as beneficial cleaners by eating algae, but they can become a nuisance pest if their population explodes due to overfeeding or excess waste.

Identified on: 1/3/2026