Pond snails are herbivores who eat plants and plant-like materials found in ponds. Algae, floating plants and rooted plants are all preferred foods for pond snails.
Different types of pond snail species exist, and each prefers different types of food. Some snails eat live plants, while others eat dead plant matter. Gardeners add snails to backyard ponds to help keep algae growth at bay and to keep the water clean. If fish are present in the pond, snails eat the fish food that sinks to the bottom. Some snail species even eat decaying animal matter, including dead fish or bugs.