
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Anentome helena
A carnivorous freshwater snail that preys on other snails. The conical shell carries dark brown and yellowish tan bands likened to a bumblebee. It spends much of its time buried, emerging when it senses food.
Anentome helena is a carnivorous freshwater snail widespread in Southeast Asia and belongs to the Nassariidae, a family that is otherwise largely marine. The English Wikipedia gives a shell height of 18-32mm, noting that size depends on food supply and that aquarium animals stay smaller. The German Wikipedia gives 18-28mm high and 7-13mm across, with one to three brown spiral bands over a yellow to olive-brown ground, wide variation in shape, sculpture and colour, six to eight whorls and an operculum. The body is brown with a white foot and a conspicuous extensible proboscis. It spends much of its time buried, is least active around midday, and stirs when it senses food. Like other neogastropods it is carnivorous, taking worms and other snails and ambushing larger snails from the substrate. The sexes are separate, not hermaphroditic. Where introduced it can pose a serious threat to native freshwater gastropods.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Assassin Snail lives 5-10 years.
The Assassin Snail grows to Shell height 18-32mm.
Origin
Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand and Lake Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia)
Lifespan
5-10 years
Size
Shell height 18-32mm
Temperature
Sources: Wikipedia (Anentome helena) / Wikipedia (de: Raubturmdeckelschnecke) / WoRMS
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Anentome helena (von dem Busch, 1847)
Synonyms: Clea helena
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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22〜28℃
Other snails, worms, frozen foods and sinking prepared foods
Use a fine sand it can burrow into; coarse gravel prevents burrowing and its natural behaviour. No special filtration or equipment is needed, but it will starve once the supply of prey snails runs out, so plan its feeding.
No verifiable pH, hardness or temperature figures exist for this species, so none are given. It is a tropical Southeast Asian snail, and the basic requirement is to avoid strongly acidic water, which erodes the shell.
It preys on other snails, so do not keep it with snails you want to keep. It does not attack fish, though slow-moving small bottom crustaceans can be taken. It is most often introduced to control a snail outbreak.
Carnivorous, feeding on other snails and worms. Once the prey snails are gone, offer frozen bloodworm or a sinking carnivore food. It does not eat algae, so it is no use as an algae grazer.
The sexes are separate rather than hermaphroditic, and the English Wikipedia states that it is not currently known how to tell male from female. The manner of egg laying is not described here, as the sources used for this entry do not cover it.
Where introduced it can seriously threaten native freshwater gastropods, so never release it into outdoor waters. If you add it to clear a snail problem, decide in advance what to do with it once the prey is gone. It is not listed by CITES.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The average lifespan of Assassin Snail is 5-10 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Assassin Snail typically reaches Shell height 18-32mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Assassin Snail feeds on: Other snails, worms, frozen foods and sinking prepared foods. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Assassin Snail varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026