Unprecedented surge of pink meanie jellyfish washes ashore along Texas coast

An unprecedented surge of pink meanie jellyfish along the Texas coast has stumped scientists, with beach reports from Port Aransas to Corpus Christi described as unlike anything recorded. The pink meanie, a species capable of growing up to 50 pounds with tentacles that can reach 70 feet, has become a common sight on beaches this season, according to Jace Tunnell, a marine scientist with the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.

"I’ve never seen this many pink meanies, and I’m on the beach continuously for my beachcombing surveys, for over eight years now," Tunnell said. He noted that the pink meanie is a relatively new discovery in Gulf waters; it was first spotted in the early 2000s and was initially mistaken for a lion’s mane jellyfish. In 2011, DNA testing confirmed it was a distinct species, placing it in its own family—the first new jellyfish family identified in nearly a century.

The current run of pink meanies appears linked to a bloom of moon jellyfish, the pink meanie’s favored prey. "We have a bloom of moon jellyfish going on right now, so I imagine that is why there are so many reports coming in about pink meanies," Tunnell noted. Moon jellies are circulating in waters off the Texas coast, providing a ready food source and potentially driving the unusual sightings along the shoreline.

Beachgoers should be cautious around the jellyfish, as their stings can be painful even if they are not life-threatening. The U.S. Red Cross recommends getting out of the water if stung, removing tentacles with a gloved hand or a tool, and rinsing the area with seawater. The organization also says to immerse the affected area in hot, but not scalding, water for about 20 minutes to ease pain, or to use another safe heat source if available. Avoid rubbing the wound, and monitor for signs of allergic reaction or shock. In some cases, vinegar is advised to help neutralize remaining stinging cells.

Researchers caution that the bloom could be seasonal and tied to water temperature, currents, and the availability of prey. As cooler weather sets in, experts say both the moon jellyfish and pink meanies are likely to retreat from Texas beaches, though the exact timing may vary by location and year.

The pink meanie is named for its pink color and for its aggressive feeding behavior toward other jellyfish, including moon jellies, which helps explain why researchers are documenting more sightings when moon jellies are abundant. The species’ status as a relatively recent addition to Gulf biodiversity underscores ongoing questions about how climate variability—warming seas and shifting currents—may influence jellyfish populations in the decades to come.

For beachgoers, the takeaway remains practical: while the pink meanie sting is not considered life-threatening, it can be painful for about 10 minutes and leave red marks on the skin for a couple of days. People who are stung should follow standard first-aid steps, including getting out of the water, removing tentacles with a glove or tool, rinsing with seawater, and applying heat to the affected area. Officials urge people to monitor for signs of an allergic reaction or shock and to seek medical care if symptoms worsen.

The broader context of the sightings includes broader Gulf of Mexico jellyfish dynamics, where shifts in water temperature, salinity, and currents influence both the abundance of moon jellyfish and the predators that rely on them. Scientists emphasize that ongoing monitoring is needed to understand how these species interact and how climate-driven changes could shape jellyfish communities in Texas and beyond in the coming years.