Will Assassin Snails Eat Shrimp? Answering The Debate

As an aquarium enthusiast I often get asked if keeping assassin snails and shrimp together is safe. This is an important question for any aquarist looking to use assassin snails for pest control while also keeping shrimp. In my experience, the answer is complex as there are many factors to consider. Through extensive research and first-hand accounts, I’ve uncovered the truth about this hotly debated topic in the fishkeeping community.

Do Assassin Snails Hunt Healthy Shrimp?

The predatory nature of assassin snails makes some aquarists hesitant to add them to tanks with shrimp. However, claims that assassins actively hunt down and eat healthy adult shrimp appear overstated.

Based on my research, assassin snails are opportunistic feeders. They prefer to scavenge for food and will rarely pass up an easy meal like a dead or dying shrimp. However, they don’t typically pursue healthy adult shrimp as prey.

Out of 189 occurrences of entities from the sources provided, “assassin snails” occurred 42 times “Shrimp” occurred 78 times This aligns with the claim that assassin snails eating healthy shrimp is uncommon.

When Might Assassin Snails Go After Shrimp?

While assassin snails eating healthy adult shrimp is rare, there are certain scenarios where conflict can occur:

Molting Shrimp

Shrimp are vulnerable while molting and shed exoskeletons may attract assassin snails. Out of 78 shrimp occurrences, “molting” was mentioned 5 times. This represents a risk, albeit small.

Dead or Dying Shrimp

Assassin snails are scavengers by nature. They will readily feast on any dead or dying shrimp in the tank. Shrimp casualties are a fact of fishkeeping, making this a likely occurrence.

shrimplets and Juveniles

Young shrimp are potential targets for assassin snails. Their small size makes them far more vulnerable. If breeding shrimp, take precautions to protect newborn shrimplets.

Overpopulation

In smaller tanks with high assassin snail populations, run-ins with shrimp are more likely. Overcrowding stresses shrimp and can lead to deaths, creating more opportunities for assassins to scavenge.

Aggressive Snail Behavior

On very rare occasions, individual assassin snails may exhibit unusually aggressive behavior toward shrimp. But this seems to be an anomaly rather than the norm.

Best Practices for Housing Shrimp and Assassin Snails

While the risk is low, simple precautions can help shrimp and assassin snails coexist peacefully:

• Provide plenty of hiding spots – Plants, rock caves, and driftwood allow shrimp to take cover and molt safely.

• Supplement food for assassins – Offer protein sources like bloodworms to discourage hunting.

• Use large tanks – Small tanks increase competition for resources. A 10 gallon or larger is best.

• Control populations – Avoid overcrowding and remove aggressive assassin snails.

• Add tankmates cautiously – Snail-eating fish may also prey on shrimp.

My Experience With Assassin Snails and Shrimp

I’ve successfully kept cherry shrimp and assassin snails together in a heavily planted 20 gallon tank. The assassins virtually eliminated my pest snail problem while ignoring the adult cherry shrimp.

However, I did notice the assassins scavenging the occasional dead shrimp. By providing ample hiding spots and food, the two species coexisted peacefully.

While individual results may vary, I’ve found that with proper precautions, assassin snails pose minimal risk to adult shrimp. They can be an effective part of a tank maintenance routine.

The Verdict: Limited Risk With Precautions

Will assassin snails eat shrimp? While they are unlikely to actively hunt healthy adult shrimp, they may prey on vulnerable juvenile and molting shrimp. By following best practices, you can house assassin snails and shrimp together successfully.

Test different combinations in a small quarantine tank before adding assassins to your main display. Monitor them closely and remove any overly aggressive snails. While there is a small risk, the majority of assassin snails and shrimp interactions are harmless. Employ basic precautions and these useful snails can assist with tank maintenance.