The microdistribution and abundance of freshwater gastropods were studied in lower reaches of three streams on Moorea, French Polynesia, during austral spring (AS) and austral fall (AF) 1994-1996. Seven species were examined: Neritina canalis Lamarck, Neritina turrita Gmelin, Clithon spinosa Budgin, Septaria porcellana Linnaeus, Neritina auriculata Lamarck, Melanoides tuberculata Müller, and Thiara granifera Lamarck ; the first five species are in the Neritidae, the latter two in the Thiaridae. Most gastropod species had higher densities during AF 1996 than AS 1995 (p = 0.0001) with higher densities being found in riffle than in pool habitats (p = 0.0001). No relationship between substrate type and either species presence-abundance or shell size was observed. A stepwise multiple regression indicated that velocity, depth, and substrate roughness were determinants of gastropod abundance for some species within these streams. A distinct microhabitat preference for the bottoms of rocks was observed for C. spinosa and N. canalis. The limited range of N. auriculata's occurrence within streams results from its salinity tolerance and response to hydraulic stress.