How to Tell If a Marine Snail Is Dead

There are many species of marine snails on the planet today. They are many colors, shapes and sizes that dwell mainly in saltwater environments. Depending on the type of snail you get, the snail may have gills like other fish, or it can have lungs, just like the other mammals roaming the waters. When you purchase marine snails, sometimes they do not work well in the environment provided, or they may get eaten by other marine life.

Things You'll Need

  • Long rubber gloves
  • Paper towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the lid of your aquarium to make sure the snail is not floating at the top of the water. If the snail is floating at the top of the water, the snail is probably dead, depending on the type of snail. Sometimes marine slugs are called marine snails, but the difference is that slugs do not have shells.

    • 2

      Monitor your snails position over the course of a few days. If the snail is moving, then it is not dead. If the snail does not move, the snail may be dead.

    • 3

      Put on the rubber gloves. Pick up the snails shell and make sure the snail is still inside. If the snail body is no where to be found, one of your marine animals may have eaten the snail.

    • 4

      Pry the snail from its shell gently. You don't want to remove the snail from the shell; you simply want to see if there is still suction from the snail. If there is, then the snail is still alive, if the snail falls out without a lot of coaxing, then the snail is dead.