As with most bivalves, Sphaerium corneum is mainly a filter feeder and thus prefers more eutrophic waters that provide a greater food source.

These clams have exhibited a unique ability to climb up plants and structures around their habitat to find more optimal locations for feeding.

This species has shown a preference however for slow currents in their habitats (Lotic ecosystem), which will provide a constant supply of food.

This allows them to burrow down into sand, mud, gravel and other inorganic substrates where oxygen levels are low to avoid predation and to explore other food sources.

In their native habitats, they may reach their full lifespan, although in the United States and other non-native areas the clams average only 1 to 1 1/2 years.