Anentome helena
A freshwater snail used to control pest snail populations in aquaria.
Last updated
It is commonly called the assassin snail or bumblebee snail.[1] The aquatic gastropod Anentome helena, which possesses an operculum, belongs to the family Nassariidae—a group that is predominantly marine.[1]
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumMollusca
- ClassGastropoda
- SubclassCaenogastropoda
- OrderNeogastropoda
- FamilyNassariidae
- GenusAnentome
- SpeciesAnentome helena
Named by (von dem Busch, 1847)
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Anentome helena (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 1027029 (CC BY 4.0)
Where the anentome helena has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (201 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 52 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick Facts
- Size
- 0.7–1.25 in / 1.78–3.17 cm
- Distribution
- Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, Thailand, and Lake Toba on Sumatra
- Family
- Nassariidae
- Common names
- assassin snail, bumblebee snail
- Egg capsule size
- 1.0 to 1.5 mm (0.059 in) in width and height
- Egg capsule shape
- square
- Egg capsule color
- clear
Facts from the source article.
Biology and range
The snail often buries itself to ambush larger snails.[1] This species habitually remains concealed within the substrate for extended periods.[2] Its lowest activity levels occur around midday, though it can detect food and will emerge to feed when prey is present.[2] Worms and other gastropods constitute its prey, and its practice of consuming snails has led to the common name "assassin snail."[1]
Individuals of Anentome helena are either male or female; the species does not exhibit hermaphroditism.[2] No method has yet been established to distinguish males from females externally.[2] The size and shape of male and female snails are indistinguishable.[2]
What the specialist sources record
Monks states that Clea helena is exceptional in being found in ponds and ditches and tolerates a wider range of water conditions.[3] Monks reports that Clea helena is a burrowing species and does best in tanks with a sandy substrate.[3] Monks observes that juvenile Clea helena spend their first few months in the substrate, hidden from view.[3] Monks describes that when Clea helena mates, pairs or groups clamber over each other and hold position for hours.[3]
Monks advises using 4-6 Clea helena per 60 litres to control Malayan Trumpet Snail populations.[3] Monks adds that Clea helena will also eat other small snail species including Physa spp..[3]
References
- Wikipedia, "Anentome helena" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Monks, "Assassin Snails and Sulawesi Elephant Snails: Keeping Clea and Tylomelania in the aquarium", 2009 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Anentome helena" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Newel, "The 'assassin' snail, Clea (Anentome) helena (Gastropoda: Buccinidae), as a model for developmental and environmental physiology", January 5, 2013 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Monks, "Assassin Snails and Sulawesi Elephant Snails: Keeping Clea and Tylomelania in the aquarium", 2009. facts only, no text reused. wetwebmedia.com
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Anentome helena (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in Marine Snails: Ceriths, Nassas and Conchs
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Anentome helena (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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