Assassin Snail (Clea Helena)

Assassin Snail, Bumblebee Snail

Distribution

This is a freshwater species that naturally inhabits rapidly flowing oxygen-rich, clear streams, rivers with sandy or muddy bottoms. It can also be found in stagnant waters: ponds, lakes, ditches in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Appearance

The snail is characterized by a yellow shell with dark brown spiral stripes. The shell has axial ribs, is conical in shape (4-5 turns), and has a damaged/eroded top. The body is olive-gray, with small darker spots. Often only the head in the form of a flexible "tube" or "siphon" - also known as a proboscis (about 8-10 mm long), is protruding from the shell, and it ends in the mouth opening. It should not be confused with a respiratory siphon. Between the head are antennae, where eyes are mounted (close to the base). Helena has a fairly solid foot, which it uses to immobilize potential prey.

Disposition

This is a carnivorous species, which hunts not only small snails (rams-horn, bladder, pond snails, etc.) but also larger ones (e.g., apple snails), also live shrimp, and weakened or smaller fish. This is because it has been equipped by nature with a body part that paralyzes its prey by injecting it with poison. The immobilized enemy is then defenseless, and our snail can calmly and unhurriedly proceed to consume it. That is why it spends most of its time buried in the substrate (with only its head protruding) waiting for potential prey. When such prey is close enough, Helena proceeds to attack. It can very effectively wrap its foot around the opponent, and easily push its head under a possibly closed lid. It often hunts in a group, especially when the opponent is significantly larger. These snails are more active at night, resilient, and tolerant. It digs through the substrate but does not damage the decor. It is not harmful to plants. Due to its hunting nature, we should be careful when choosing its tank mates. It is a good alternative to a snail infestation.

Aquarium

These snails require a lot of space at the bottom of the tank - the larger its area, the better. It is beneficial to use soft, fine-grained substrate - sand or very fine gravel. The use of an effective filter, good aeration, diffuse lighting seems necessary. Hiding places are welcome, however, when arranging the aquarium interior, remember that any gaps and caves should not be too small and tight. An additional source of calcium in the tank is necessary - in the form of powdered corals, shells of freshwater snails, marble, or the addition of limestone rocks.

Breeding

This species is oviparous and dioecious - for reproduction, we need a female and a male. Fertilization is internal. The male, equipped with a copulatory organ (appendage), fertilizes the female, where the sperm is deposited in a seminal vesicle, thus the eggs are fertilized in his absence. The eggs are laid individually, in a clear jelly-like coating, square in shape. They easily stick to any hard surface - plants, substrate, rocks, roots, filter, etc. Hatching occurs a few weeks later (this time depends on the water temperature), and from a large number of eggs, only a few offspring hatch. The larvae bury themselves in the substrate and stay there until they undergo all transformations, and their shell hardens (up to 6 months).

Food

These are carnivorous snails that actively hunt other snails, shrimp, and even fish. They are a good alternative to a snail infestation, but once they have dealt with it, they require feeding. Their food can be live or frozen aquatic insects, invertebrates, worms, krill, shrimp, food for bottom-dwelling fish.