Stinging pink meanie jellyfish noticed washing ashore alongside Texas coast

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An unprecedented variety of "pink meanie" jellyfish, a species that may develop as much as 50 kilos with tentacles stretching so long as 70 ft, are washing ashore alongside the Texas coast .

From Port Aransas to Corpus Christi, the surge in sightings is in contrast to something recorded earlier than, in keeping with Jace Tunnell, a marine scientist on the Harte Analysis Institute at Texas A&M College-Corpus Christi.

"I’ve by no means seen this many pink meanies, and I’m on the beach constantly for my beachcombing surveys, for over eight years now," Tunnell instructed Fox Information Digital.

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"Plus, I grew up on the seaside and had by no means seen one earlier than this yr," he added.

The pink meanie is a comparatively new discovery in Gulf waters. It was first observed within the early 2000s and was mistaken for a lion’s mane jellyfish, in keeping with marine life specialists.

Pink meanie jellyfish, named for his or her "imply" conduct of consuming different jellies, can develop as much as 50 kilos and have tentacles stretching so long as 70 ft. (Jace Tunnell, Harte Analysis Institute at Texas A&M College-Corpus Christi)

In 2011, DNA testing confirmed it was a distinct species and positioned it in its family — the first new jellyfish household in almost a century.

"It obtained its title due to its pink coloration like cotton sweet, and [the fact that] it aggressively eats different jellyfish, just like the moon jelly, therefore the ‘pink meanie,’" Tunnell mentioned.

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The Gulf is at the moment experiencing a bloom of moon jellyfish, that are the pink meanie’s favourite meals.

Pink meanies feed on moon jellyfish, numerous that are at the moment in waters across the Texas coast. (Getty Pictures)

"We have now a bloom of moon jellyfish happening proper now, so I think about that's the reason there are such a lot of reviews coming in about pink meanies, since that's their predominant meals supply," Tunnell famous.

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"Beachgoers must be cautious across the jellyfish as a result of they do have a sting, which might be painful for about 10 minutes and depart pink marks on your skin for a few days," he cautioned.

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The sting shouldn't be thought-about life-threatening, however it may be painful. If an individual is stung, the U.S. Purple Cross recommends getting out of the water, eradicating the tentacles with a gloved hand or instrument, and rinsing with seawater .

"I’ve by no means seen this many pink meanies," Tunnell instructed Fox Information Digital. (Jace Tunnell, Harte Analysis Institute at Texas A&M College-Corpus Christi)

The group says to then immerse the world in scorching (however not scalding) water for about 20 minutes to ease pain , or to make use of one other protected warmth supply if accessible. Keep away from rubbing the sting and monitor for indicators of allergic response or shock.