Assassin snail
Anentome helena
A yellow-and-brown striped predatory snail kept to control bladder, ramshorn and trumpet snails; it breeds slowly and never becomes a pest.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 3 gallons
- Group
- Alone is fine
- Temperament
- Predatory
- Care level
- 2 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Other snails, sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm
- Origin
- Thailand, Malaysia and Sumatra
- Hardier than37%
- Bigger than5%
- Calmer than5%
Water: their range vs yours
Assassin snail tank mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blue dolphin cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Neon tetraAssassin snail (predatory) will bully the peaceful Neon tetra.Risky
- Tiger barbTiger barb nips fins; Assassin snail is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- GoldfishGoldfish needs cool water; assassin snails need tropical heat.Risky
- OscarOscar eats snails: Assassin snail.Risky
- Serpae tetraSerpae tetra nips fins; Assassin snail is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog eats snails: Assassin snail.Risky
- Bladder snailAssassin snail eats small snails: Bladder snail.Avoid
- Malaysian trumpet snailAssassin snail eats small snails: Malaysian trumpet snail.Avoid
- Ramshorn snailAssassin snail eats small snails: Great ramshorn snail.Avoid
- Red swamp crayfishRed swamp crayfish eats snails: Assassin snail.Avoid
- Figure eight pufferFigure eight puffer eats snails: Assassin snail.Avoid
- Green spotted pufferGreen spotted puffer eats snails: Assassin snail.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for assassin snails: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 2.5 cm (shell)
- Adult mass
- 0.09 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.16 BU
- Min. water
- 8 L net
- Group
- 1+ (best 6)
- Swims in
- substrate, bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- invertebrate, normal fins
- Diet type
- carnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Sources: Aquarium Co-Op: Assassin snail
Care notes
Assassin snails come from Thailand, Malaysia and Sumatra and grow to about 1 inch. They bury themselves in sand with only the siphon showing and hunt other snails.
Sexes are separate and each capsule holds a single egg, so they multiply slowly. They are considered safe with adult dwarf shrimp, but valued snails such as mystery or nerite snails may be attacked.
Questions
What size tank does a assassin snail need?
At least 3 gallons (8 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1 inches without fins.
How many assassin snails should be kept together?
One is fine. They do not need company of their own kind.
What water do assassin snails need?
70–81 °F, pH 7.2–8 and 8–20 dGH. Assassin snails come from Thailand, Malaysia and Sumatra.
How long do assassin snails live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with assassin snails?
Good tank mates include Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras, Otocinclus and Cherry shrimp. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.