Rare pink meanie jellyfish washes up along Texas shores as sightings rise

Texas beaches are seeing a surge of sightings of the pink meanie, a large jellyfish known for a bright pink bloom and tentacles that can stretch as long as 70 feet. The species, Drymonema larsoni, can weigh up to 50 pounds and is not edible. In recent weeks, researchers and beachgoers have reported multiple specimens washing ashore along the Gulf Coast, many far from where these jellyfish are typically observed. Experts say the bloom is linked to warm Gulf waters this summer, which have encouraged the jellyfish's preferred prey, moon jellyfish, to proliferate nearby.

Jace Tunnell, director of community engagement at the Harte Research Institute in Corpus Christi, said he has been monitoring the pink meanie for nearly a year and has recorded more than 10 sightings in a 10-mile stretch of coastline. He noted that sightings spike when moon jellyfish are abundant because pink meanies feed almost exclusively on them. Social media reports have amplified the sense of a broader invasion; one user claimed seeing 30 to 40 individuals a few hundred miles south of Galveston this month. Tunnell stressed that when the moon jellies disappear, the pink meanies tend to disappear as well, because their prey drives their lifespan.

Underwater, pink meanies appear as pink clouds with trailing tentacles that can stretch for yards. When stranded on shore, they look like a compact ball of pink jelly with a dense mass of tentacles. Tunnell cautioned that the animals are not edible and can sting when touched. The sting is often described as mild by him, but other beachgoers have reported more intense pain, with some accounts suggesting stings can be more painful than initial impressions.

Taxonomy and naming details have been discussed by researchers and highlighted by National Geographic: scientists identified the pink meanies as a new species, Drymonema larsoni, and concluded that the lineage is distinct enough to warrant its own biological family, Drymonematidae. The jellyfish earned its informal nickname because of its color and aggressive behavior toward moon jellies. The name honors Ron Larson, a marine scientist who conducted early research on the group.

For stings, experts emphasize practical steps: if stung, rinse the area and apply vinegar to help neutralize remaining tentacles and reduce additional stinging sensations. While many local observers report only mild discomfort, others describe stings as painful and lasting longer depending on individual sensitivity and exposure. It is advised to avoid handling these jellyfish, and bathers should leave the water if encounters are frequent or if jellyfish are present in large numbers.

Environmental context helps explain the current pattern: pink meanies rely on moon jellyfish as their primary prey, and their distribution tends to track the abundance of those prey species. Researchers note that warm ocean temperatures in late summer and early fall create favorable conditions for both species, not only in the Gulf but in other warm-water regions where the group has been observed, including parts of the Mediterranean and near the coast of South Africa. The combination of prey availability and suitable thermal conditions can lead to episodic blooms that attract attention from scientists and the public alike. The most reliable takeaway for coastal communities is to treat these jellyfish with caution, avoid contact, and monitor official guidance as researchers continue to study the dynamics of this unusual invader.