[2] The type locality is the East shore of Lake Tanganyika, at Ujiji.

[6] The genus Neothauma previously contained several species, but most were reassigned to other genera.

[6] There is conflicting information relating to its feeding behavior, with one study referring to it as a detritus-feeder,[8] another saying that it actively preys on endobenthic organisms,[9] and finally that it feeds on particulate organic filtered while the snail is buried.

[10] The shells of dead Neothauma tanganyicense often form carpets over large areas, and are used by a number of other animals, such as cichlid fish (shell dwellers),[11] and freshwater crabs of the genus Platythelphusa.

[12] Juvenile snails live in the sediment in order to avoid predators.