It is harmless to fish
, though eggs and immobile fry might be taken, and it never harms plants either. Assassins (pictured at the top of the page) like to bury themselves in tanks of sandy substrate and wait for suitable prey. When that happens they pursue and kill remarkably quickly.
What fish can live with assassin snails?
Assassins also seem to get along with peaceful scavengers like
Cory Catfish as well as more delicate algae eaters such as Otocinclus Catfish
. Assassin Snails seem do blend with small freshwater clams and larger Asian Gold Clams, as well as with Viper Shrimp, Bamboo Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, and Ghost Shrimp.
Are assassin snails good for aquariums?
Tank Conditions
Assassins aren't fussed about plants; they don't tend to use them as food or shelter. Strangely this makes
them ideal for planted tanks or paludariums
. If you keep lots of plants and want some snails, most species would start to eat the plants and cause damage.
Do snails kill fish in a fish tank?
Beware that they can and do eat other meaty items – I've seen them feast on decorative shrimp (
all snails will eat dead or dying animals, including fish
). They will also eat algae, though they generally leave plants alone.
Will Assasin snail kill Nerite snail?
They eat all other types of snails that are their size or smaller, but
they will not harm snails that are larger
(such as Mystery Snails, Giant Sulawesi Snails, and larger Nerite Snails).
Do assassin snails kill shrimp?
Yes Assassins will eat shrimp
, but it is not a common or even an uncommon thing it is really rare. So I have a hard time swallowing that a whole colony was wiped out unless the snails were desperate for food since they had no snails to eat or you were not feeding them a high protien replacement food like bloodworms.
Do assassin snails burrow in gravel?
Yes, they do burrow
.
Can one assassin snail reproduce?
When such snails mate,
each snail is capable of producing eggs or young
. It is reported that each assassin snail, however, is born a male or a female and stays that way. Consequently, if you would like to breed assassin snails, purchase at least five or six in hopes of obtaining individuals of both sexes, as I did.
Do assassin snails breed quickly?
Once hatched, the juveniles will burrow into the substrate, and are rarely seen again until they reach maturity. Maturity is usually reached after about six months, and at this time, they will emerge from the substrate more regularly.
They breed very slowly for a snail
, and so rarely become a pest on their own.
How do I get rid of pest snails in my aquarium?
Should I keep snails in my aquarium?
Snails eat algae and organic debris, and
they are beneficial to the overall health and balance of an aquarium
. Some species are attractive and interesting to observe, and many hobbyists value them as pets just like fish.
Can snails kill tropical fish?
Nuisance snails can become a real problem as they breed rapidly and thrive on uneaten fish food, plants and algae. They even eat dead fish. Their size means that, however hard you try,
you never seem to eradicate them all
— and they always come back in force!
How many Assassin snails should I get?
Assassin Snail Breeding and Eggs
If you are planning to breed your snails, it is best to have a group of
6 to 8
. Unlike many other aquatic snails, this snail does not need an aquatic environment to reproduce.
What can kill Nerite snails?
Certain aquarium additives, particularly
copper-based fish medications
, can also kill them.
How fast do Assassin snails work?
Took about
6 weeks
total for them to do their job to completion.
Can assassin snails eat Nerite?
Despite the fact that the nerite snail is large,
the assassin snail is able to attack nerites in groups
. Assassin is omnivorous and it preys small snails generally. But if the aquarium has a deficiency of small snails or food of assassins then the nerite can be attacked.
Can Assassin snails become a pest?
They scavenge for decaying matter in the tank, and so along with their ability to control snail populations, they are also useful in tank maintenance as well. Their breeding practices are extremely interesting. Assassin snails are slow breeders, so
they are unlikely to become a pest
.
Do Assassin snails need sand?
Because assassin snails naturally bury themselves and wait for their prey to appear,
a sand substrate is preferred, although it's not a must
. The water should ideally not be too soft, as this could lead to deterioration of the shell.
Do aquarium snails burrow?
Some freshwater snail species love to burrow
. While they may uproot a plant or two in the process, this can actually be helpful. By digging through the substrate, the snails loosen and aerate it, which helps prevent anaerobic spots and makes it easier for plant roots to grow.
Can assassin snails flip themselves over?
Being upside-down for short periods of time won't kill the snails, but it does leave them vulnerable to predation from tankmates, and they can't feed or do any other normal snail things.
Some snails can flip themselves over like acrobats
, but others may need a hand if they get stuck.
Can assassin snails live with betta fish?
As long as you keep your water parameters good you shouldn't have a problem
. I'd only add assassin snails to your tank if you really need them. Because of their size, your betta may see them as more of a threat and begin attacking them. But if other snails are overrunning your tank then they are your best option.
