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Freshwater fishAssassin Snail
Assassin Snail
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The assassin snail is small but deadly. Assassin snails are so named because they feed on other snails. Not all snails are welcome additions to the fish tank, and even desirable snails sometimes get a little carried away with their "romance", so these snails are perfect additions for the aquarist who needs to control a snail problem. Fight fire with fire.
Assassin snails are hardy, totally safe for fish, seem to just take care of themselves and do not overrun the fish tank.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Anentome helena |
| Origin | Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia) |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful with fish; eats other snails |
| Adult Size | Up to ¾–1" |
| Lifespan | 2–3 years |
| Diet | Carnivore (eats snails and meaty foods) |
| Water Temperature | 72–82°F |
| pH | 7.0–8.0 |
| Breeding | Slow breeder; lays single eggs on hard surfaces |
| Shipping Size | Approx. ½" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Assassin snails like a sand bottom they can burrow in. Add them to a tank with pest snails and they will hunt them down over time. If you have no pest snails, feed meaty foods so they don't starve.
Feeding: Assassin snails eat other snails, plus sinking pellets and other meaty foods.
Tankmates: Assassin snails are safe with fish and adult shrimp, but they will eat other snails, including small nerites, mystery snails and rabbit snails. Keep them away from snails you want to keep.
Good to know: Assassin snails won't wipe out pest snails overnight, but over a few weeks they keep pest-snail populations under control.
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