Along a stretch of the Texas Gulf Coast, beach visitors were stunned by the appearance of enormous jellyfish creatures with bright pink hues and trailing tentacles. These marine oddities, dubbed “pink meanies,” have been washing ashore in significant numbers, prompting concern and fascination in equal measure.
Stunning Size and Appearance
The pink meanie, known scientifically as Drymonema larsoni, can grow to impressive proportions. Some of the jellyfish reportedly weigh over 50 pounds and carry tentacles that stretch as long as 70 feet—roughly the length of two school buses. One marine researcher described seeing more than ten of these creatures span a ten-mile beach corridor. Their cotton-candy coloration contrasts dramatically with their formidable size and predatory habits. Some of them were even seen entangled with their prey in marinas and shallow harbor waters, adding to their eerie, alien appearance. Their delicate, translucent bodies make them appear fragile, but their reach and feeding mechanisms belie that impression.
Predatory Behavior and Diet
Despite their dramatic looks, pink meanies are fierce feeders—and highly specialized in their diet. Their main prey is moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), which drift in large numbers through coastal waters. As moon jellies float and feed on plankton, pink meanies ensnare them using long “oral arms” that wrap around victims and secrete digestive enzymes to break them down externally. This method allows the pink meanies to effectively liquefy and ingest their prey while remaining stationary or drifting nearby. Their presence seems closely tied to the abundance of moon jellies; when those populations decline or waters grow colder, pink meanies tend to vanish rapidly.
Rare Species, But Reappearing
Pink meanies were first observed in Gulf waters in the early 2000s but were initially misidentified as a Mediterranean species. It wasn’t until around 2011 that scientists confirmed they represented an entirely new species—and even a new family in jellyfish taxonomy. Their rarity and fleeting appearances have contributed to their mystique. Their recent resurgence along the Texas shoreline may be linked to seasonal blooms of moon jellyfish, warming water temperatures, or shifting ocean currents. Because their lifespan and visibility are closely tied to prey and conditions, spotting several onshore at once is considered unusual.
Once they wash ashore, pink meanies don’t last long. Their gelatinous bodies, composed mostly of water, begin to evaporate or disintegrate, often becoming food for scavengers like birds or crabs. Their bright pink color fades quickly, making detection harder over time.
Human Risk and Stings
Despite their dramatic looks, pink meanies are not considered a serious threat to humans. Their sting is described as relatively mild—rated about 2 out of 10 in pain. Most people would experience minor irritation, redness, or tingling if they came into contact with a tentacle. That said, those with sensitive skin or allergies should exercise caution. If someone gets stung, recommended actions include exiting the water, carefully removing any tentacles with a gloved hand or tool, rinsing with seawater (never fresh water), and applying vinegar before rinsing with warm (not hot) water to ease discomfort. Medical attention should be sought if symptoms worsen.
What This Signals for Marine Ecology
The sudden appearance of these massive jellyfish serves as a reminder of how little we still know about ocean ecosystems and the species that lurk beneath the surface. The pink meanie’s ability to exploit booming moon jellyfish populations illustrates how shifts in one species can cascade through the marine food web.
For coastal communities and researchers alike, these jellyfish sightings offer both intrigue and a warning: as ocean conditions change—through warming, currents, or human impacts—rare species may emerge or vanish in unpredictable ways. Maintaining vigilance, documenting occurrences, and protecting coastal ecosystems remain essential as such phenomena continue to surprise and challenge our understanding.
