Freshwater
Snail
More details
Assassin Snail (Anentome helena)
Free
Free
Description
The Assassin Snail is a striking and functional freshwater snail with a conical, yellow-and-brown banded shell. Valued for its ability to control pest snail populations, it adds both beauty and balance to aquariums with minimal care.
Difficulty Level
Beginner Friendly
Region
Assassin Snail (Anentome helena)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Hardy and low-maintenance, but requires a steady food supply of snails or protein-rich alternatives.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Often wild-collected in Southeast Asia; beneficial in tanks but should not be released into non-native environments.
Origin
Native to Southeast Asia, particularly in freshwater habitats across Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Assassin snails are commonly found in sandy riverbeds and slow-moving streams with rich biodiversity and an abundance of small mollusks.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Known for their sharply pointed, spiraled shells with bold alternating stripes of yellow and dark brown. Unlike most snails, they exhibit predatory behavior—burrowing into the substrate and ambushing other snails. This behavior, paired with their exotic appearance, makes them a favorite among aquarists dealing with overpopulation issues.
Purpose
Primarily used to control unwanted snail infestations (like bladder or pond snails) in freshwater tanks. They hunt and consume other snails, helping restore balance without chemical intervention. They also stir the substrate while foraging, improving tank aeration.
Importance
Offers a natural, sustainable method for pest control. Their low bioload and unique behavior make them ideal for planted tanks and shrimp colonies that need help managing small scavenger populations.
Included Resources
No special equipment needed. Best kept in planted or lightly stocked tanks with fine substrate. Will benefit from protein-rich supplementation if snail prey is limited. Avoid copper-based medications.
Best Use Cases
Excellent for aquascapes, shrimp tanks, and community setups with a minor pest snail problem. Also suitable for display in educational or species-focused tanks to observe their fascinating hunting behavior.
Conservation Context
While not currently threatened, assassin snails are often wild-caught. Overharvesting in localized areas could disrupt native freshwater ecosystems. Responsible sourcing and tank-bred alternatives are encouraged.
Compatible Species
Peaceful toward fish and shrimp but predatory toward most snails, including Nerite, Ramshorn, and Malaysian Trumpet Snails. Best paired with non-snail community fish like rasboras, tetras, shrimp, Corydoras, and Otocinclus.
Region (A)
• Latitude: 6.5° N
• Longitude: 101.3° E
Region (B)
• Latitude: 1.5° N
• Longitude: 103.8° E
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Assassin Snail (Anentome helena)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Hardy and low-maintenance, but requires a steady food supply of snails or protein-rich alternatives.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Often wild-collected in Southeast Asia; beneficial in tanks but should not be released into non-native environments.
Origin
Native to Southeast Asia, particularly in freshwater habitats across Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Assassin snails are commonly found in sandy riverbeds and slow-moving streams with rich biodiversity and an abundance of small mollusks.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Known for their sharply pointed, spiraled shells with bold alternating stripes of yellow and dark brown. Unlike most snails, they exhibit predatory behavior—burrowing into the substrate and ambushing other snails. This behavior, paired with their exotic appearance, makes them a favorite among aquarists dealing with overpopulation issues.
Purpose
Primarily used to control unwanted snail infestations (like bladder or pond snails) in freshwater tanks. They hunt and consume other snails, helping restore balance without chemical intervention. They also stir the substrate while foraging, improving tank aeration.
Importance
Offers a natural, sustainable method for pest control. Their low bioload and unique behavior make them ideal for planted tanks and shrimp colonies that need help managing small scavenger populations.
Included Resources
No special equipment needed. Best kept in planted or lightly stocked tanks with fine substrate. Will benefit from protein-rich supplementation if snail prey is limited. Avoid copper-based medications.
Best Use Cases
Excellent for aquascapes, shrimp tanks, and community setups with a minor pest snail problem. Also suitable for display in educational or species-focused tanks to observe their fascinating hunting behavior.
Conservation Context
While not currently threatened, assassin snails are often wild-caught. Overharvesting in localized areas could disrupt native freshwater ecosystems. Responsible sourcing and tank-bred alternatives are encouraged.
Compatible Species
Peaceful toward fish and shrimp but predatory toward most snails, including Nerite, Ramshorn, and Malaysian Trumpet Snails. Best paired with non-snail community fish like rasboras, tetras, shrimp, Corydoras, and Otocinclus.
Region (A)
• Latitude: 6.5° N
• Longitude: 101.3° E
Region (B)
• Latitude: 1.5° N
• Longitude: 103.8° E
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Assassin Snail (Anentome helena)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Hardy and low-maintenance, but requires a steady food supply of snails or protein-rich alternatives.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Often wild-collected in Southeast Asia; beneficial in tanks but should not be released into non-native environments.
Origin
Native to Southeast Asia, particularly in freshwater habitats across Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Assassin snails are commonly found in sandy riverbeds and slow-moving streams with rich biodiversity and an abundance of small mollusks.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Known for their sharply pointed, spiraled shells with bold alternating stripes of yellow and dark brown. Unlike most snails, they exhibit predatory behavior—burrowing into the substrate and ambushing other snails. This behavior, paired with their exotic appearance, makes them a favorite among aquarists dealing with overpopulation issues.
Purpose
Primarily used to control unwanted snail infestations (like bladder or pond snails) in freshwater tanks. They hunt and consume other snails, helping restore balance without chemical intervention. They also stir the substrate while foraging, improving tank aeration.
Importance
Offers a natural, sustainable method for pest control. Their low bioload and unique behavior make them ideal for planted tanks and shrimp colonies that need help managing small scavenger populations.
Included Resources
No special equipment needed. Best kept in planted or lightly stocked tanks with fine substrate. Will benefit from protein-rich supplementation if snail prey is limited. Avoid copper-based medications.
Best Use Cases
Excellent for aquascapes, shrimp tanks, and community setups with a minor pest snail problem. Also suitable for display in educational or species-focused tanks to observe their fascinating hunting behavior.
Conservation Context
While not currently threatened, assassin snails are often wild-caught. Overharvesting in localized areas could disrupt native freshwater ecosystems. Responsible sourcing and tank-bred alternatives are encouraged.
Compatible Species
Peaceful toward fish and shrimp but predatory toward most snails, including Nerite, Ramshorn, and Malaysian Trumpet Snails. Best paired with non-snail community fish like rasboras, tetras, shrimp, Corydoras, and Otocinclus.
Region (A)
• Latitude: 6.5° N
• Longitude: 101.3° E
Region (B)
• Latitude: 1.5° N
• Longitude: 103.8° E
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Assassin Snail (Anentome helena)
Region
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