Assassin Snail (Anentome helena)

Name: Assassin Snail (Anentome helena)
Brand: Legacy Line Aquatics LLC
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$2.99

Assassin Snails are one of the most useful freshwater snails available, combining attractive appearance with natural pest snail control. Native to Southeast Asia, they feature a striking yellow and dark brown striped shell and actively hunt nuisance snails while remaining safe with healthy aquarium plants.

Unlike many common aquarium snails, Assassin Snails reproduce slowly, making them an excellent long-term addition without the risk of population explosions. Whether you’re looking to naturally control pest snails or simply add an interesting invertebrate to your aquarium, Assassin Snails are a favorite among hobbyists.

Why Hobbyists Love Assassin Snails

Natural control for bladder, pond, ramshorn, and trumpet snails
Attractive yellow and dark brown striped shell pattern
Safe with live aquarium plants
Slow breeding compared to pest snails
Active scavenger that helps clean leftover food
Excellent addition to community aquariums

Temperament & Behavior

Assassin Snails are peaceful toward fish and shrimp but are predatory toward other snails. They spend much of their time exploring the aquarium, burrowing beneath the substrate, or hunting pest snails. They are generally more active than many other snail species and are often seen climbing décor and glass.

Unlike mystery snails, Assassin Snails will not rapidly overrun an aquarium because they reproduce much more slowly.

Feeding

Although they are famous for eating pest snails, Assassin Snails also readily consume:

Frozen foods
Sinking carnivore pellets
Frozen bloodworms
Frozen baby brine shrimp
Leftover fish food
Dead or weakened snails

Once pest snails are eliminated, supplemental feeding becomes important.

Recommended Foods

Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp
Frozen Bloodworms
Quality sinking carnivore pellets
Protein-rich sinking wafers

They do best in tanks with:

Sand or fine gravel substrate
Plenty of hiding places
Driftwood and rocks
Moderate water movement
Stable water quality
Well-established aquariums

Tank Size (Recommended)

Small colony: 10 gallons+
Community aquarium: 20 gallons+
Breeding colony: 20 gallons long or larger

Water Temperature

Ideal range: 72–80°F
Can tolerate: 70–82°F
Stable temperatures are more important than chasing an exact number.

Water Parameters

pH: 7.0–8.2
GH: 6–15 dGH (100–270 ppm)
KH: Moderate
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Below 20 ppm preferred

Good tank mates may include:

Celestial Pearl Danios
Emerald Dwarf Rasboras
Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnows
Koi Ricefish
Blue Eye Gertrudae Rainbowfish
Panda Corydoras
Pygmy Corydoras
Sterbai Corydoras
Bristlenose and other peaceful plecos
Neocaridina shrimp (healthy adults are generally ignored)

Avoid:

Puffers (including Pea Puffers)
Large aggressive cichlids
Crayfish that may attack snails
Other ornamental snails if you want to keep them, as Assassin Snails may prey on them

Local Delivery

Delivery is available within an 80-mile maximum distance from Owensboro, Kentucky.
$150 minimum order is required for delivery
$25 delivery fee applies

Local Meet-Up

Local meet-up is available.
After order we will contact you by email, or through Facebook or Instagram Messenger.
We will arrange a date, time, and public location to meet.

Shipping & Live Arrival

Live fish are shipped Monday–Wednesday (weather permitting) to reduce transit risk. Please review our How Shipping Works page and DOA policy before ordering.