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Assassin Snail (Anentome helena) - Aquarium Snails
22–27°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 20L
£5.99
Water-stable 1.8 mm sinking granules for Anentome/Clea helena assassin snails and other predatory aquarium snails.
Water-stable 1.8 mm sinking granules for Anentome/Clea helena assassin snails and other predatory aquarium snails.
Aqua-Tropica Raubschnecken-VITAL 35g Assassin Snail Food is a specialist sinking granule food for Anentome helena, also sold as Clea helena, and other predatory aquarium snails. It is made for the moment many assassin-snail keepers eventually reach: the pest-snail population has been reduced, the natural prey supply is no longer constant, and the snails still need a reliable animal-protein food at the bottom of the aquarium.
This 35g Aqua-Tropica pot gives you a targeted alternative to relying only on feeder snails. The manufacturer describes it as a protein-rich food for freshwater and marine predatory or scavenging snails, with sinking, water-stable 1.8 mm pellets that can be placed where the snails feed. It is a better match for assassin snails than general herbivore snail foods, algae wafers, or mid-water fish flakes that are easily stolen before the snails find them.
| Product | Aqua-Tropica Raubschnecken-VITAL |
|---|---|
| Pack size | 35g pot |
| Best for | Assassin snails, Anentome helena / Clea helena, and other predatory aquarium snails |
| Food type | Sinking, water-stable granules |
| Granule size | 1.8 mm |
| Manufacturer product number | ATV-022 |
| EAN | 4260344241347 |
| Manufacturer category | Snail food |
| Analytical protein | 55.0% crude protein |
| Feeding guide | 2-4 granules per snail, twice daily; adjust to appetite and water quality |
Assassin snails are not the same as nerite snails, rabbit snails, ramshorn snails, or other grazing species. They are predatory snails that naturally take animal-based foods such as small snails and worms. In a new problem-snail cleanup tank they may find plenty of prey, but that supply can disappear once the population is under control.
That is where Raubschnecken-VITAL fits. It gives the snails a repeatable food source without needing to maintain a constant supply of pest snails. The granules sink to the substrate, so you can target the feeding zone rather than dusting the whole tank with floating food. Used sensibly, it helps you keep assassin snails fed in a managed aquarium rather than leaving them to compete with fish for unsuitable leftovers.
The 1.8 mm granule size is one of the most useful details on this food. The pieces are small enough for controlled feeding but visible enough to place near the snails. Because the food is water-stable, it holds together long enough for bottom-dwelling snails to locate it, instead of breaking down immediately into a cloud of waste.
Start with a small portion and watch the response. If fish, shrimp, or other bottom feeders reach the food first, place the granules after lights dim or use a feeding dish so you can remove uneaten pieces. The goal is not to flood the aquarium with protein; it is to give the snails a clean, predictable ration.
The manufacturer lists this as a complete feed with fish and fish derivatives, cereals, molluscs and crustaceans, plant derivatives, yeast, minerals, oils, and fats. It is a deliberately animal-protein-led food rather than a general algae wafer.
| Crude protein | 55.0% |
|---|---|
| Crude fibre | 18.0% |
| Crude ash | 11.0% |
| Crude fat | 1.5% |
| Vitamins listed | Vitamin A, D3, E, and C |
| Trace elements listed | Zinc, manganese, copper, and calcium iodate compounds |
| Probiotic listed | Pediococcus acidilactici |
Aqua-Tropica also states that the recipe avoids wheat, exotic meat sources, artificially added colours, flavours and preservatives, genetically modified ingredients, sugar, soy, and vitamin K3. For customers comparing snail foods, that makes this a more specific choice than generic bottom-feeder food.
Predatory snails still need strong shell development and a healthy operculum, the little trapdoor used to close the shell opening. Aqua-Tropica positions Raubschnecken-VITAL as a food that supports shell structure and operculum development while also covering the protein side of the diet.
Food cannot replace correct mineral balance in the aquarium. Keep the water parameters suitable for the snail species you keep, avoid sudden swings, and make sure calcium and carbonate hardness are not neglected. Think of this food as the nutritional part of the routine, not a substitute for stable snail-friendly water.
The official guidance recommends using an opened pot within 3-4 months, because vitamins and minerals reduce over time after opening. That is another reason the 35g size makes sense for small snail groups: you can use a fresh pot without holding a large tub for too long.
For most Tropical Fish Co customers, the key use is freshwater assassin snails. Aqua-Tropica also positions the food for other predatory or scavenging snails, including marine species such as Nassarius and Babylonia. If you keep specialist marine snails, use the same principle: feed sparingly, place the food where the animals can find it, and remove waste before it affects water quality.
Compared with algae wafers: Raubschnecken-VITAL is more animal-protein focused and better aligned with predatory snails. Algae wafers are useful for grazers and many shrimp, but they are not a specialist assassin-snail food.
Compared with live feeder snails: feeder snails can be part of the natural diet, but keeping a steady supply is not always practical or desirable. These granules give you a cleaner routine when the prey population has already been reduced.
Compared with fish pellets: general fish pellets are usually made for fish feeding behaviour, not slow bottom-feeding snails. A sinking 1.8 mm snail granule is easier to place and monitor.
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