Assassin Snails (Killer Snails)

Assassin Snail (Clea helena / Anentome helena)
The Assassin Snail, also known as the Killer Snail, is a fascinating and useful addition to freshwater aquariums. It’s highly valued for its ability to hunt and control pest snails, such as ramshorn, pond, and Malaysian trumpet snails, making it a favorite among aquarists battling overpopulation issues.

With a striking yellow-and-brown striped conical shell, Assassin Snails are attractive in their own right. They grow up to 1 inch in size and are peaceful toward other fish, shrimp, and plants—but deadly to small snails. They bury themselves in the substrate and ambush their prey, feeding by drilling into the victim’s shell.

These snails thrive in tropical freshwater tanks, preferring temperatures between 22–28°C (72–82°F), and a pH range of 7.0–8.0. A soft to medium substrate is ideal for burrowing. While they can survive in small tanks (as little as 5 gallons), they do best in well-maintained community tanks where pest snails are present.

Assassin Snails are carnivorous and primarily feed on other snails but will also eat leftover fish food, shrimp pellets, or frozen bloodworms if needed. They reproduce slowly compared to pest snails, laying small egg capsules on hard surfaces.

With proper care, these hardy and low-maintenance snails can live 2–3 years. They are an excellent natural solution for controlling unwanted snail populations without the need for chemicals or traps.