Assassin Snail (Anentome helena)

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Assassin Snail

Assasinsnail.JPG
Assassin Snail

Anentome helena

19 Litres (5 US G.)

1.3-2.5cm (0.5-1 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

7.2 - 8.0

22.8-26.7°C (73 -80 °F)

8-15 °d

1:1 M:F

Carnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods
Other (See article)

2-5 years





Alternative names

Assassin Snail, Killer Snail, Bumble Bee Snail

Synonyms

Clea helena, Anentome Cleo

Sexing

Difficult to sex. (When they mate, the male always sit on the back of the often larger female.)
Not hermaphrodites, so need a male and female counterpart in order to reproduce. Growth rate is slow (when they are well fed they lay strings of eggs, one at the time. When malnourished they only lay one egg at the time,) and eggs are laid singly under water and are often eaten by other tank mates. So typically very slow breeders.

Tank compatibility

This snail will be peaceful towards fish tank mates, as long as they are not predatory. However, this snail will eat any other snails it finds within its environment.

Diet

This snail relishes other snails for dinner, and will willingly rid your tank of troublesome Ramshorn Snails, Pond Snails and even full size Malaysian Trumpet Snails, they will hunt them down and suck them out of their own shells. When these are not available, it can be supplemented with pellet foods, they will also sift through detritus.
  • If you overfeed the tank and there is leftover food left lying around, these snails will prefer that food source to other snails.

Feeding regime

Supplementary feedings needed only if no snails are present.

Environment Specifics

This snail thrives in a well maintained mature tank with good water flow and a high GH level. It prefers a sandy substrate to sift through.

Behaviour

An active predatory snail which hunts other snails.

Identification

This snail has a chunky conical shell that is ridged and dark brown in colour with several pale cream-yellow bands around it.

Pictures

Videos


External links