How many pest snails does an Assassin Snail eat?

They typically consume one to two small snails per day, though this varies based on temperature and the size of the prey.

Will Assassin Snails eat my shrimp?

Healthy adult dwarf shrimp are generally far too fast for them, but they may opportunistically scavenge on dead or dying shrimp, and occasionally catch vulnerable newborn fry.

Will Assassin Snails overpopulate my tank?

No, they breed very slowly compared to pest snails, laying only a few single eggs at a time, so rapid population explosions are extremely rare.

What do I feed them once all the pest snails are gone?

You can easily sustain them on sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, and other protein-rich foods that reach the bottom of the aquarium.

Can I keep them with Mystery Snails or Nerite Snails?

It is generally not recommended. While Nerites sometimes survive due to their tight grip and flat shape, Assassin Snails have been known to gang up on and kill much larger ornamental snails.

FreshwaterTropicalBeginner

Assassin Snail

Anentome helena

A strikingly patterned freshwater snail highly valued for its natural ability to control pest snail populations.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C
pH range: 7 – 8
Hardness: 8 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 2 – 3 cm
Nano tank: 20 litres+
Lifespan: 2 – 3 years
Diet: Carnivore
Water flow: low to moderate
Preferred setup: Sandy substrate preferred for burrowing; safe for planted tanks.

About the Assassin Snail

The Assassin Snail is a carnivorous freshwater mollusc native to Southeast Asia. Unlike many aquarium snails that feed on algae and detritus, this species actively hunts and consumes other snails, making it a popular choice for biological pest control. Its distinct yellow and dark brown banded shell adds a striking visual element to the substrate.

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Where Assassin Snail comes from

Native range

Southeast Asia

Countries / regions

Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia

Habitat

Sandy and muddy substrates in rivers, lakes, and drainage ditches.

Widely distributed across lowland freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia.

Similar species

Rabbit Snail
Tylomelania sp.
Malaysian Trumpet Snail
Melanoides tuberculata

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Peaceful mid-water swimmers that will completely ignore the snail.
Great
Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Peaceful bottom-dwellers that share the substrate without harassing the snail.
Great
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Adults are generally too fast to be caught, but sick individuals or tiny fry may occasionally be opportunistically preyed upon.
Compatible with caution
Ramshorn Snail
Planorbarius corneus
Assassin Snails are specialist hunters of other molluscs and will actively hunt and consume them.
Not recommended
Clown Loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
Clown Loaches are specialist snail-eaters that will easily crush and consume an Assassin Snail.
Not recommended

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