Does Assassin Snail Eat Shrimp? Uncovering the Truth

As an aquarium enthusiast and shrimp lover, I’ve often wondered if I could safely keep assassin snails with my beloved shrimp. Assassin snails are popular for controlling pest snails, but their predatory nature makes some shy away from adding them to a shrimp tank. I wanted to get to the bottom of this debate, so I dove into research on assassin snails and shrimp.

Here’s what I uncovered on the intriguing relationship between these two aquarium inhabitants.

How I Got Interested in This Topic

I first became curious about assassin snails after struggling with an explosion of pesky pond snails in my planted shrimp tank. I had cherries, amanos and some more delicate shrimp varieties, so I wanted to find a natural solution without harming my shrimp.

Assassin snails seemed perfect – they feed on other snails but leave shrimp alone right? Well things aren’t quite so black and white. While researching, I came across some heated debates on aquarium forums about whether assassins will eat shrimp. I needed to learn more.

The Carnivorous Nature of Assassin Snails

Assassin snails, also known as bumblebee snails, are voracious predators with a taste for other snails. Their Latin name, Anentome helena, aptly describes their predatory nature as they actively hunt down and kill pest snails.

Unlike many snail species that are vegetarian and scrape algae, assassins are carnivores. They use their siphon and mouth to suck out the flesh of snails, worms, and sometimes even small fish.

While they prefer snail meat, assassins are opportunistic feeders. If hungry and given the chance, they may attack weakened shrimp, particularly molting or juvenile shrimp.

Factors That Influence Assassin Snail’s Predatory Behavior

According to my research, there are a few key factors that impact the likelihood of assassin snails going after shrimp:

• Tank size – Assassin snails are more likely to encounter and eat shrimp in smaller tanks with higher stocking densities.

• Hunger level – Well-fed assassin snails focus on snails and are less inclined to hunt shrimp. Keeping their preferred snail diet in ready supply is key.

• Shrimp size & type – Small shrimp like cherries and babies are most vulnerable. Larger amanos and bamboos are generally safe.

• Molting cycles – Shrimp are defenseless during molting. Hungry assassins may seize the opportunity for an easy meal.

• Tank mates – Avoid aggressive fish that may injure assassin snails, causing them to pursue shrimp as alternate prey.

Can Shrimp & Assassin Snails Coexist Peacefully?

Opinions seem divided on whether shrimp and assassin snails can safely cohabitate. Some aquarists have kept them together without issues. However, others caution that assassins will hunt shrimp if they get hungry enough.

Here are some tips I gathered for keeping assassins in a shrimp tank:

• Start with a larger tank, 20 gallons or more, with lots of hiding spots.

• Maintain a steady supply of pest snails and bloodworms to satisfy the assassins.

• Choose larger shrimp species like amanos or ghosts less prone to attack.

• Avoid keeping expensive, delicate shrimp with assassins.

• Monitor assassin population density and remove any with aggressive shrimp hunting.

• Provide supplementary calcium sources for molting periods when shrimp are vulnerable.

My Personal Take on Assassin Snails with Shrimp

After looking at all the evidence and factors involved, I don’t think I’ll risk adding assassins to my current shrimp-only tanks. I may try introducing a few to a spare 10 gallon to see how they interact with some pest snails and cheaper ghost or cherry shrimp before trusting them in my prized crystal shrimp tank.

For a thriving shrimp colony, there seem to be safer alternatives for snail control like traps, puffer fish, or manually removing them. Though with plenty of precautions, space, and monitoring, some shrimp keepers find success with assassins in the mix.