▷ Predatory snails in the aquarium | All information and details

Data sheet predatory snails

German name:
predatory snails

Scientific name:
anentome helena

Origin:
South East Asia

Size:
3-5 cm

Aquarium

Length:
40cm length / 36cm width

Contents:
From 20 liters / Nano

water values

Temperature:
18-30°C

pH:
7-8

GH:
0.6 – 25° dH

Behave

Area:
below

Lining:
other snails, animal food, fish food, red mosquito larvae or Tubifex

Behave:
predatory

Number:
2 to 6 snails

Difficulty level:
Beginner

RSX, Anentome Helena 2010, CC BY-SA 3.0

The home of the predatory snail Clea helena (Anentome helena or Anentome sp.) are the fresh waters in Indonesia and Thailand. It probably came to Europe hanging from a plant root. It has been in the aquarium since 2002.

Clea helena is a gefrugal, pretty and interesting aquarium resident. She likes to eat meat and prefers other snails. The shape of the case is cone-like, approximately 20mm high and features a striking spiral pattern. The basic color ranges from light yellow to dark brown to almost black. A broad, cream-colored vertical stripe runs down the center of the body. A second, but very narrow stripe can be seen on the last spiral. In the wild there are also monochromatic brown specimens. In breeding in the aquarium, even a monochromatic golden version was achieved.

Their striking dark eyes sit under the antennae. The operculum is about 7 mm in height and about 4 mm in width. It is smooth, chalky and brown in color. At the front end of its body is a muzzle with a short opening for the Sipho. This is one proboscis and the most important weapon in the hunt. If water gets inside, the animal can detect the scent of prey, locate it, and then paralyze it with squirting venom. If necessary, she sticks her snout under the snail shell or etches it with her acidic saliva. When it is at rest, it can pull the siphon back about 2 mm into the muzzle.

attitude

The predatory snail prefers to stay on the ground, which is best made of soft sand or rounded gravel. She buries herself or hides under wood or stones and waits patiently for tasty prey.

If she moves in the aquarium, she has extended the siphon and sniffs for prey. Once she spots one, she performs the proboscis, injects its venom, chews the victim up, and eats it.

The species-appropriate tank must not be too small, so that the Snail on the hunt can go. The size is to be adapted to the number of animals. The optimal setup consists of wood, roots and stones. Plants are not nibbled on and are mainly used for decoration.

propagation

The Breeding Clea helena is easy. When two snails have found each other, the male transfers his sperm to the female through a penis. During the night, the female lays 1 egg each in about 10 to 20 pillow-shaped, transparent sacs and places them on a smooth surface.

The hatched young snails are about 1 mm in size and fully developed. They initially live in the soil substrate and only come out when they have grown a little.

There Externally, males and females cannot be distinguished from each other are, there should be several animals in one aquarium for successful breeding. As a stimulating feed, 40% animal protein is advisable.

lining

anentome helena is carnivorous and eats only meat. Beside other snails also stand live food from red mosquito larvae or Tubifex on the menu. Also protein foods from carrion, shrimp food, fish and mussel meat and frozen food will be taken.

In order for the invertebrate to feel comfortable in the aquarium, it must be allowed to act out its species-appropriate behavior. She needs other live snails to hunt. When she sets her sights on prey, she thrusts out her sipho and injects venom into it. Since it takes snails with or without a lid, it is a popular choice in the aquarium Regulator of snail plagues by bladder snails, apple snails, racing snails or ramshorn snails.

Danger: Too much protein leads to proliferation.

socialization

One Socialization is only possible with conspecifics and other peaceful fish from the upper tank area. Other species of snails, shrimp or bottom-sleeping fish are not safe.

If kept in a manner appropriate to the species, the predatory snail can enter the aquarium Age of at least 2 years to reach.