
Assassin Snail
Clea helena
Family: Buccinidae • Origin: Various
Assassin Snail (Clea helena) is a peaceful snail reaching 3 inches. Can be kept singly. Minimum tank size: 10 gallons.
Is Assassin Snail Right for Your Tank?
Assassin Snail is an excellent choice for beginners — rated "beginner" difficulty (1/5). They're hardy, forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations, and generally easy to feed. At just 10 gallons minimum, they work well in nano tanks and smaller setups.
With a peaceful temperament, Assassin Snail makes a great community fish. They coexist well with other non-aggressive species of similar size. Expected lifespan: 5 years with proper care.
Common Mistakes with Assassin Snail
Relying on a heater without a thermometer
Assassin Snail needs 72–82°F. Heaters malfunction or drift over time — always use a separate thermometer to verify. Temperature swings of even 3–4°F can trigger stress and disease, particularly ich.
Putting them in a tank under 10 gallons
While 10 gallons is the minimum, nano tanks require more frequent water changes and leave less room for error. A slightly larger tank (15 gal) is much more forgiving.
Skipping the quarantine period
Even healthy-looking fish can carry parasites or disease. Quarantine new Assassin Snail for 2–4 weeks in a separate tank before adding to your main aquarium.
Care Tips
- • Max size: 3 inches
- • Temperature: 72-82°F
- • pH: 6.5-7.5
- • Can be kept alone or in pairs
- • peaceful temperament — safe with community fish
Feeding: Standard carnivore diet. Accepts foods appropriate for Buccinidae species.
Compatibility Notes: Typical peaceful Buccinidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 15 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- carnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical peaceful Buccinidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 5 years
Ideal For
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