Assassin Snails (Clea helena)

Looking for an efficient and chemical-free way to rid your aquarium of pesky snails?

Assassin snails (Clea helena) are popular freshwater snails known for their ability to control pest snail populations in aquariums. Here are some key details about them:

Basic Info

Size: Up to 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Lifespan: 2–3 years

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)

pH: 7.0–8.0

Hardness: Moderate to hard water preferred

Tank Size: 10 gallons or larger

Diet: Carnivorous; primarily eats other snails but will also scavenge leftover food, fish pellets, and frozen foods.

Behavior & Benefits

Predatory Nature: Hunts and eats pest snails like bladder snails and ramshorn snails.

Peaceful (Except to Snails): Generally safe with fish, shrimp, and plants but will eat smaller, weaker snails.

Burrowing: Often buries itself in the substrate, ambushing prey.

Breeding

They lay single eggs on hard surfaces, but their reproduction is slow compared to pest snails, making them easy to control.