[6] Dimensions of the shell are:[4] The animals are yellow colored, spotted grey and white, with darker pigmentation on the snout, mantle and base of the penis.

[8] The European valve snail is native to Europe, the Caucasus, western Siberia and Central Asia and is common in many freshwater environments therein.

The European valve snail was originally introduced to Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Genesee River in 1897.

[8] In its native range, this species' presence has been associated with oligotrophic nearshore zones,[5] clear-water habitats more than turbid water, sparsely vegetated lakes or sites dominated by Chara spp.

and Potamogeton spp.,[15][16] littoral habitats with high siltation rates,[17] lentic and stagnant waters or slow streams,[18] fine substrates (mud, silt and sand) – especially during hibernation, and aquatic macrophytes – for laying its egg masses.

[5] In Europe, it usually is found in depths of up to 10 m.[6] Valvata piscinalis tolerates varying calcium concentrations, and generally does not require very high temperatures to survive.

[5][6] Individuals can overwinter in mud, often experiencing growth during this cold period,[6][20] although some populations may experience mortality in frozen littoral zones.

[26][27][28] This snail has chemosensory perception, which allows it to detect nearby leeches, and distinguish molluscivores from non-molluscivores, and thus it can close its operculum to avoid predation.