Assassin Snail care guide
Assassin Snail (Clea helena) — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 6.5-8.
Overview
The Assassin Snail (Clea helena) is a small carnivorous freshwater snail from south-east Asia, named for its predatory habit of hunting and consuming other snails. The conical shell shows alternating bands of yellow-gold and dark brown.
Taxonomy
- Family: Buccinidae
- Genus: Clea
- Scientific name: Clea helena
- Common synonyms: Helena Snail, Snail-eating Snail
Habitat
Native to slow-flowing fresh waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and adjacent regions of south-east Asia. Inhabits soft substrates of ponds, slow streams and irrigation channels where it burrows shallowly during inactivity.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-3 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
Diet
A carnivore and scavenger. The species actively hunts and consumes other gastropods — particularly Malaysian Trumpet Snails, Bladder Snails and small Ramshorn — and also scavenges meaty foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and fish food remnants. Will not consume algae or live plants.
Compatibility
Peaceful toward fish and adult shrimp but predatory toward other snails. Use as a biological control for pest-snail outbreaks; avoid mixing with ornamental snails (Nerite, Mystery, large Ramshorn) intended to be preserved. Cohabits safely with most community fish.
Breeding
A gonochoristic species (separate sexes) that lays small yellow capsule-like eggs singly on hard surfaces. Juveniles hatch as miniature snails after 3-8 weeks and burrow into the substrate; the species reproduces slowly compared with its prey.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: not formally assessed. Wild populations are common across its range and the species is widely exported for the aquarium trade.