Assassin Snail

The assassin snail is a small predatory freshwater snail from Southeast Asia. It reaches the trade under two scientific names: Clea helena is the combination aquarists and suppliers use most widely, and Anentome helena is the other combination in circulation. Which of the two is currently correct is still argued over by specialists, and nothing about keeping the animal depends on the answer. Its cone-shaped shell carries alternating bands of dark brown and yellow, and it spends much of its day part-buried in sand with only its breathing siphon showing. Aquarists keep it for one reason above all others: it hunts pest snails. Where bladder, ramshorn or Malaysian trumpet snails have taken over a tank, a few assassins will work through the population steadily and without chemicals.

Aquarium care

• Adult shell length is roughly 2.5 cm.
• Peaceful towards fish. Its prey is other snails, not tankmates.
• Carnivorous: pest snails, sinking meaty foods and leftover fish food.
• Does not eat healthy aquarium plants.
• Give it sand or fine gravel it can burrow into.
• Breeds slowly and lays eggs singly, so it will not overrun a tank.
• Easy to keep; no unusual water chemistry needed.

A sensible choice for a planted community tank with a snail problem, or for anyone who wants a bottom-dweller with some character. Keep it out of a dedicated dwarf shrimp breeding tank, though, as assassins are opportunists and can take weak or freshly moulted shrimp.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See what else has come in on our snails page.