Species guide
Assassin Snail Care Guide (Clea helena)
Invertebrate
Assassin snails (Clea helena) hunt pest bladder and Malaysian trumpet snails — bury in sand and track prey. They are not algae eaters like nerites, not large mystery snails, and may eat other snails including weak nerites if starving.
- Pest snail hunter
- Sand burrower
- Not algae eater
- Not nerite job
Quick facts
| Diet | Other snails — pest species |
|---|---|
| Substrate | Sand preferred for burrowing |
| Breeding | Slow FW reproduction in pairs |
| Temp | 22–28 °C |
| Stocking | 1–2 per pest outbreak start |
| vs nerite | Nerite algae grazer — don't hunt |
| vs mystery | Mystery herbivore giant — different role |
| When done | Feed protein or rehome — may starve |
Overview
Assassin snails fix pest snail outbreaks — not algae. Nerites clean glass. Mystery snails are display herbivores. Once pests gone, assassins need meaty food or they hunt tankmates.
Algae solution: algae eaters roundup · Amano shrimp. Don’t confuse pest control with glass polishing.
Deploy hunters, then feed them
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Step 1
Add 1–2 assassins per pest outbreak — not ten preemptively
They breed slowly but do eat snails.
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Step 2
Sand lets them burrow and ambush
Gravel works but sand preferred.
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Step 3
When pests gone, feed sinking protein
Bloodworm, snail meat — or they hunt nerites.
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Step 4
Don't use as algae fix
Zero effect on green glass algae.
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Step 5
Remove excess assassins after job
Trade to shop or second tank.
Common problems
Still pest snails after months
Why: Too many pests vs few assassins.
Fix: Add another assassin; reduce overfeeding fish.
Assassin ate nerite
Why: Starving hunter.
Fix: Feed protein; separate nerites.
Assassin breeding
Why: Pairs lay single egg capsules.
Fix: Remove capsules if population unwanted.
No pest snails left — assassin idle
Why: Success — now feed or rehome.
Fix: Sinking pellets with protein.
Tank mates
Gear for this species
Crystalpro Shrimp Minerals 16.9 Oz – Liquid Aquarium Salt & Trace Elements for Freshwater Shrimp Tanks – Supports Caridina & Neocaridina – Molting & Breeding Additive – Invertebrate Tank Conditioner
Nutrafin Fluval shrimp mineral is a powerful support product for ornamental shrimp species, imported from Canada and distributed at Sen Aquatic. This product is among the Top Best Sellers in the Sen Store system, trusted and highly rated by users for its quality and price. Benefits of Nutrafin Fluval shrimp mineral: Provides essential minerals and stabilizes pH for the shrimp breeding ecosystem. Eliminates issues of thin shells and pale coloration. Helps ornamental shrimp grow strong, with a shiny and vibrant protective layer. Reduces the occurrence of shrimp having difficulty molting and dying sporadically.
Landen Aqua Soil Substrate for Natural Planted Aquarium, Plant or Shrimp Stratum, Clay Gravel and Stable Porous Substrate for Freshwater Aquarium, Black Color 40lbs
Substrate vàng chuẩn Iwagumi / Nature Aquarium.
Budget first community setup — Assassin hunts pest snails — not nerite algae role
FAQ
What do assassin snails eat?
Pest bladder snails, MTS — other snails.
Assassin vs nerite?
Assassin hunter. Nerite algae grazer — different jobs.
Will assassins eat shrimp?
Usually no — they target snails.
How many for outbreak?
Start 1–2; reassess in 2–4 weeks.
Algae control?
No — use Amano/otos/nerites.
After pests gone?
Feed protein or rehome assassins.
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