Assassin Snail

Scientific Name: Anentome helena (commonly sold as Clea helena)
Common Name: Assassin Snail / Snail-Eating Snail

Assassin Snails are small freshwater predatory snails best known for naturally controlling populations of unwanted pest snails. They actively hunt common nuisance snails such as bladder, pond, ramshorn, and Malaysian trumpet snails, making them a popular alternative to chemical snail-control treatments. They are easily recognized by their attractive yellow-and-dark-brown striped shells.

Unlike Nerite and Mystery Snails, Assassin Snails should not primarily be purchased as algae eaters. They are carnivorous predators and scavengers. Once pest-snail populations become limited, their diet should be supplemented with protein-rich sinking foods or other appropriate meaty foods.

Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful toward most fish; predatory toward snails
Adult Size: Approximately 0.75–1.2 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons; 10+ gallons recommended for multiple snails
Temperature: 68–82°F
pH: 6.5–8.0
GH: Approximately 5–20 dGH
Diet: Carnivore / Predator / Scavenger
Recommended Quantity: 3+ for pest-snail control
Origin: Southeast Asia

Recommended Setup: A mature, fully cycled freshwater aquarium with sand or fine substrate is ideal. Assassin Snails naturally burrow into the substrate and may spend considerable time partially hidden while waiting for prey. Stable water with adequate mineral content also helps maintain healthy shell development.

Pest Snail Control: Assassin Snails provide gradual biological control rather than instantly eliminating an infestation. They hunt individual pest snails over time. Maintaining reasonable feeding levels in the aquarium is still important because excess food is often the underlying cause of pest-snail population explosions.

Compatibility Warning: Do not add Assassin Snails to an aquarium containing ornamental snails you want to keep. They can prey on other snails, including desirable species. There are also reports of predation on very small or vulnerable shrimp, so additional caution is appropriate in valuable breeding colonies.

Please Note: Individual Assassin Snails naturally vary slightly in shell pattern, coloration, and size. Aqua Huna selects males and females randomly and does not guarantee a particular sex.

All livestock from Felipe’s Fish is carefully selected and prepared for safe transport. Please review our shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee policies before ordering.