Anentome helena
The pest-snail solution in a 2cm package. Distinctive yellow-and-brown striped conical shell. Buy 3–4 for a small outbreak; they will hunt the population down to nothing then live on protein supplements.
Assassin Snail (Anentome helena) is an aquarium snail in family Nassariidae, native to Southeast Asia. Adults reach 1.5–2.5 cm; minimum tank 20 L. Target 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, 8–15 dGH, 3–10 dKH. Shell calcium demand: medium. Diet: carnivore (eats other snails), Hunts ramshorn, MTS, and bladder snails. Once pest snails run out it will accept frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and protein-rich sinking pellets. Will not touch hard-shelled nerites or larger mystery snails. Breeding: Sexual, needs male and female. Females lay single transparent eggs in square cases stuck to hardscape. Slow breeders, never a population problem. Algae-eating rating: 1/5. Plant-safe: Yes. Tank mates: Peaceful community. Will eat dwarf shrimp shrimplets in some cases, keep separately if breeding shrimp.
Care at a glance
The pest-snail solution in a 2cm package. Distinctive yellow-and-brown striped conical shell. Buy 3–4 for a small outbreak; they will hunt the population down to nothing then live on protein supplements.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete planted-aquarium guide.
The parameters that decide whether assassin snail fits in your tank.
Nassariidae
Carnivore (eats other snails)
Hunts ramshorn, MTS, and bladder snails. Once pest snails run out it will accept frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and protein-rich sinking pellets. Will not touch hard-shelled nerites or larger mystery snails.
Sexual, needs male and female. Females lay single transparent eggs in square cases stuck to hardscape. Slow breeders, never a population problem.
2–3 yrs
Medium
Yes
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Minimum tank: 20 L. Assassin Snail (Anentome helena) reach 1.5–2.5 cm as adults.
Target 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, 8–15 dGH, and 3–10 dKH. Shell calcium demand is medium, supplement with cuttlebone or a mineral stone if your water is soft.
Plant safety: Yes. Assassin Snail are carnivore (eats other snails), Hunts ramshorn, MTS, and bladder snails. Once pest snails run out it will accept frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and protein-rich sinking pellets. Will not touch hard-shelled nerites or larger mystery snails.
Tank mates: Peaceful community. Will eat dwarf shrimp shrimplets in some cases, keep separately if breeding shrimp.
Algae-eating rating: 1/5. Hunts ramshorn, MTS, and bladder snails. Once pest snails run out it will accept frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and protein-rich sinking pellets. Will not touch hard-shelled nerites or larger mystery snails.
Sexual, needs male and female. Females lay single transparent eggs in square cases stuck to hardscape. Slow breeders, never a population problem.
Typical lifespan: 2–3 years in a stable, well-maintained tank.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this snail with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
