Snail - Assasin

Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Color Form: Black, Orange
Diet: Omnivore
Water Conditions: 68-74° F, KH 2-15, pH 6.5-7.5
Max. Size: 3"
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

The Assassin Snail, or Snail Eating Snail, is a small, easy-to-keep freshwater invert completely harmless toward fish and shrimps, but quite effective in reducing nuisance snail explosions. It is also extraordinarily eye-catching in planted aquariums, featuring a bright yellow with chocolate brown striped shell. In the wild, you'll find the Assassin Snail living in clean, fast-flowing streams with sandy or muddy substrates, though they are also tolerant of a wide range of water conditions, including ponds and ditches, making them a hardy addition to the home aquarium. Opportunistic carnivores, the Assassin Snail feeds on both live prey and scavenged detritus. They stay partially hidden under the sediment, and if a snail its size or smaller slides past, they will give chase and devour it. Otherwise, Clea helena is a peaceful community tank resident. Fish are at no risk at all once mobile, and livebearer fry are ignored. To address an existing population explosion of Malayan live-bearing snails or alike, consider stocking quite a few Assassin Snails, ideally 5 snails for every 15 gallons in your system.