Description

 

🐌 Assassin Snail (Clea helena) – Natural Pest Control with Striking Stripes

The Assassin Snail (Clea helena) is a beautiful and functional freshwater snail known for its striking yellow-and-brown striped shell and unique carnivorous behavior. Unlike most snails, Assassin Snails actively hunt and consume other pest snails, making them a natural and chemical-free solution for snail overpopulation.

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🌿 Quick Overview

• Scientific Name: Clea helena
• Common Names: Assassin Snail, Bumblebee Snail
• Origin: Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia)
• Size: 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 inches)
• Lifespan: 2–3 years
• Temperament: Peaceful (to fish & plants), predatory (to other snails)
• Tank Size: 30L+ (8 gallons+)
• Temperature: 22–28°C
• pH Range: 6.5 – 7.8
• Water Hardness: Moderate to hard

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✨ Key Features

• 🎯 Snail Control Specialist: Preys on pest snails like bladder, ramshorn, and Malaysian trumpet snails
• 🐚 Beautiful Bumblebee Shell: Distinct yellow and brown bands make them visually appealing
• 🔍 Efficient & Low-Maintenance: Buries in substrate and actively hunts unwanted snails
• 🌿 Safe for Plants & Fish: Does not harm healthy aquarium plants or peaceful tankmates
• 🐣 Slow Reproduction: Breeds only when in male/female pairs — no sudden population booms

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🧠 Care Guide

✅ Tank Setup:

• Substrate: Fine sand or soft gravel — allows them to bury and ambush prey
• Decor: Rocks, driftwood, and live plants provide natural shelter
• Water: Maintain stable parameters with moderate hardness and good filtration
• Lighting: Standard aquarium lighting is sufficient

✅ Feeding:

• Primary Diet: Pest snails (live prey)
• Supplemental Foods: Bloodworms, shrimp pellets, sinking wafers if snails are scarce
• Feeding Tip: Will scavenge but prefers high-protein foods

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🧩 Tank Mate Compatibility

Compatible With	Notes
✅ Tetras, Rasboras, Corydoras	Peaceful, fast enough to avoid disturbance
✅ Shrimp (in well-fed tanks)	Generally safe, though may prey on weak/shrimplets
✅ Snail-free tanks	Will scavenge and help clean up excess food
❌ Mystery, Nerite, or Rabbit Snails	May become targets if food/snail supply is low

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💡 Assassin Snail Facts

• 🐌 Carnivorous: Will not eat algae; supplement with protein-based foods if no snails remain
• ⚖️ Control, not Eradication: They help manage snail populations, not eliminate them overnight
• 👶 Slow Breeder: Only reproduces sexually (1 egg per time), so populations remain manageable
• 🚫 Not for Nano Shrimp Breeding Tanks: May prey on baby shrimp if hungry

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🌟 Why Choose Assassin Snails?

The Assassin Snail (Clea helena) is a top pick for aquarists looking to naturally control pest snails without chemicals or manual removal. Easy to care for and striking in appearance, they double as both problem-solvers and ornamental additions to planted and community tanks.

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✅ Eco-friendly snail control
✅ Safe with plants and most fish
✅ Eye-catching and functional

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