Assassin snail

Anentome helena

FreshwaterSnail

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–81°F; 22–27°C
pH: 6.5–8.0
Adult size: 1 in; 2.5 cm
Minimum tank: 5 gal; 19 L

Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Tankmates: With caution
Swim level: Bottom
Diet: Carnivore
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Family: Nassariidae
Origin: Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia

Overview

The assassin snail is a small freshwater snail that eats pest snails, which is the usual reason people buy it. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Assassin snails hunt by smell and use a drill-like radula to bore into a prey snail's shell, then reach in to feed. They will also work in pairs or groups to overpower a snail bigger than themselves.

Caring for the assassin snail

Give assassin snails a soft sand substrate so they can dig and burrow. A tank of 5 gal (19 L) or more works, and they spend most of their time on or just under the bottom. Keep one alone or a few together, since they do not need company.

Hold the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. Assassin snails are carnivores that hunt other snails and scavenge meaty leftovers. If you run out of snails for them, feed sinking protein foods such as bloodworms or a meaty pellet.

They are mostly peaceful toward adult fish and shrimp. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The assassin snail is a freshwater member of the family Nassariidae, most of which are saltwater snails. It has a cone-shaped shell banded in brown and yellow. Wild populations are stable.

In the wild

Assassin snails come from rivers, streams and lakes across Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. There they burrow into sandy or muddy bottoms.

Common questions

What size tank does an assassin snail need?

An assassin snail needs at least 5 gal (19 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an assassin snail need?

An assassin snail is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does an assassin snail eat?

An assassin snail hunts other snails and scavenges meaty leftovers. When the snails run out, feed it sinking protein foods such as bloodworms or a meaty pellet.