Description

Assassin Snail (Clea helena)

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Clea helena

• Family: Nassariidae

• Origin: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia)

• Size: 0.8 – 1.2 inches (2 – 3 cm)

• Lifespan: 2 – 3 years

• Tank Zone: Bottom dwellers (burrowers)

🌊 Water Parameters

• TDS: 150 – 300 ppm

• pH: 7.0 – 8.0

• Temperature: 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)

• Hardness: 6 – 15 dGH

🐌 Characteristics

• Recognizable by yellow-and-brown striped cone-shaped shell.

• Carnivorous snail, feeds on pest snails (hence the name “Assassin”).

• Burrows in sand/gravel and ambushes prey.

• Peaceful towards fish and shrimp but predatory toward other snails.

• Slow-moving but very effective at controlling snail populations.

🍽️ Food

• Type: Carnivorous.

• Diet: Pest snails (Ramshorn, Pond, Bladder snails), bloodworms, brine shrimp, sinking carnivore pellets.

• Feeding: Provide meaty foods if pest snails are limited.

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons.

• Filtration: Standard gentle filtration, needs clean stable water.

• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel (for burrowing).

• Decor: Plants, driftwood, rocks, hiding spots.

• Water Change: 20–30% weekly.

👥 Social Behavior

• Minimum Group Size: Can live alone or in small groups.

• Tank Mates: Fish like Tetras, Guppies, Rasboras, Corydoras, Shrimp.

• Avoid: Other snails you want to keep (they will be hunted).

✅ Do’s

• Use them for natural pest snail control.

• Provide a sandy substrate for burrowing.

• Supplement diet with protein foods if needed.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t keep if you want to breed or maintain decorative snails (they’ll eat them).

• Don’t use copper-based meds (toxic).

• Don’t let them starve – add food if pest snails are gone.

⭐ Quick Tips

• Best natural solution for pest snail infestations.

• Easy to care for and beginner-friendly.

• Small but fascinating addition to aquariums.