Beddomeia launcestonensis is a species of very small freshwater snail that has a gill and an operculum, an aquatic operculate gastropod mollusk in the family Hydrobiidae.

These species-group taxa are segregated through the use of morphological data based on 78 characters from the radula, shell, genital and non-genital anatomy.

Due to their small sizer and cryptic nature, there is little known about the biology of hydrobiid snails such as Beddomeia launcestonensis, or other closely related species.

B. launcestonensis are part of major radiation of 67 freshwater hydrobiid snails that can be found both in Eastern Victoria and in the mid-north and north-east of Tasmania.

The Beddomeia species are obligately aquatic and dioecious, meaning their capacity for dispersal is highly limited.

The identified habitat range of Beddomeia launcestonensis is very limited, with only a few known sites along a 5 km stretch of the river under Trevallyn Dam.

2021) The Beddomeia launcestonensis resides under stone slabs and large rocks that can be found deep in parts of rivers.

Long-term permanency of this habitat is crucial for the existence of the Beddomeia launcestonensis as it is highly dependent on specific water chemistry, geology, local hydrological conditions, rainfall and the structural nature of the non-aquatic environment surrounding.

One of the few habitats of the Beddomeia launcestonensis, Cataract Gorge, has been identified by the “Environmental Review and Community Consultation processes of the Water Management Review for the South Esk” to have a number of issues with environmental health and water quality.

Damage to the stream habitat through forestry and agricultural activities could alter flow regimes and place further strain on the population.

Efforts are being made by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania to educate the population on potential risks that may endanger the existence of B. launcestonensis with rules and regulations being orchestrated to enable the conservation of the species and its environment.

The main management plans for the conservation of Beddomeia launcestonensis include the prevention of the degradation of habitat and raising community awareness of the species.