Banded Mystery Snail (Viviparus georgianus)
Identification: Banded mystery snails have a dextral shell with 4 -5 whorls. There are four pigmented bands that wrap around the shell. It has a maximum height of 45 mm.
Ecology and Natural History: The banded mystery snail is native to Georgia but has invaded farther north through the aquarium trade and purposeful introductions. It has invaded Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, Quebec, and the Great Lakes. It lives in lakes and slow-moving rivers. From spring to fall, the banded mystery snail lives in shallow water. In the fall, it moves to deeper water to overwinter away from the shore. Female banded mystery snails live 28 - 48 months while male banded mystery snails live 18 - 36 months. Females generally have between 4 - 81 young and can brood more than one batch of young at a time. Banded mystery snails feed on diatom clusters found on silt and mud substrates. It is a host to many parasites.
Potential Impacts: Banded mystery snails have been shown to significantly reduce survival of largemouth bass eggs in the laboratory and in ponds. This can contribute to high incubation mortality in the natural environment. Banded mystery snails are also known to consume fish embryos.
Oneida County Waterbodies with Banded Mystery Snails: Alva Lake, Big Stone Lake, Carrol Lake, Dog Lake, Fifth Lake, Hancock Lake, Horsehead Lake, Johnson Lake, Julia Lake, Katherine Lake, Little Bearskin Lake, Lone Stone Lake, Madeline Lake, Manson Lake, Maple Lake, Mid Lake, Minocqua Lake, Mud Lake, North Nokomis Lake, Pelican Lake, Pickerel Lake, Rainbow Flowage, Rice Creek, Squash Lake, Thunder Lake, Tomahawk Lake, Tomahawk River, Two Sisters Lake, Willow Flowage, and the Wisconsin River.
Ecology and Natural History: The banded mystery snail is native to Georgia but has invaded farther north through the aquarium trade and purposeful introductions. It has invaded Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, Quebec, and the Great Lakes. It lives in lakes and slow-moving rivers. From spring to fall, the banded mystery snail lives in shallow water. In the fall, it moves to deeper water to overwinter away from the shore. Female banded mystery snails live 28 - 48 months while male banded mystery snails live 18 - 36 months. Females generally have between 4 - 81 young and can brood more than one batch of young at a time. Banded mystery snails feed on diatom clusters found on silt and mud substrates. It is a host to many parasites.
Potential Impacts: Banded mystery snails have been shown to significantly reduce survival of largemouth bass eggs in the laboratory and in ponds. This can contribute to high incubation mortality in the natural environment. Banded mystery snails are also known to consume fish embryos.
Oneida County Waterbodies with Banded Mystery Snails: Alva Lake, Big Stone Lake, Carrol Lake, Dog Lake, Fifth Lake, Hancock Lake, Horsehead Lake, Johnson Lake, Julia Lake, Katherine Lake, Little Bearskin Lake, Lone Stone Lake, Madeline Lake, Manson Lake, Maple Lake, Mid Lake, Minocqua Lake, Mud Lake, North Nokomis Lake, Pelican Lake, Pickerel Lake, Rainbow Flowage, Rice Creek, Squash Lake, Thunder Lake, Tomahawk Lake, Tomahawk River, Two Sisters Lake, Willow Flowage, and the Wisconsin River.
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